The NFL playoffs are a time for celebration—and, in some instances, desperation.
Because the divisional spherical of the playoffs takes place this weekend, the stakes might be excessive for all concerned. That’s very true for every workforce’s head coach, the place the result of those winner-take-all video games can go a great distance towards shaping somebody’s job safety.
Not each teaching state of affairs is similar, after all.
In order one other nice weekend of playoff soccer kicks off, listed here are the remaining eight coaches ranked so as of most determined to least determined for a win this weekend.
1. Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles
That is 12 months 4 for Sirianni in Philadelphia, and the strain is on for him and his teaching employees to point out that they’ll win when it issues most. Sirianni has a terrific 48-20 report in the course of the common season, together with a 14-3 mark this yr. The playoffs have been extra turbulent, as his Eagles had been knocked out of their first sport in 2021 and 2023 however had been NFC champions in 2022. A loss in opposition to the Rams this weekend would put a ton of scrutiny on Sirianni going ahead.
2. Sean McDermott, Buffalo Payments
Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Payments head coach Sean McDermott reacts in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in the course of the second half for the 2024 AFC divisional spherical sport at Highmark Stadium. credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports activities McDermott is in 12 months 8 in Buffalo, and he nonetheless is trying to find his first journey to the Tremendous Bowl. Quite a lot of that has to do with a sure dynasty in Kansas Metropolis that constantly has blocked the best way within the postseason, however this yr presents one other nice probability for McDermott and the Payments to interrupt by way of. McDermott is 86-45 within the common season however 6-6 within the playoffs. This weekend presents a troublesome check in opposition to the Ravens, and McDermott must discover a option to advance.
3. Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell appears on at a timeout in the course of the second half in opposition to Buffalo Payments at Ford Subject in Detroit on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. PHOTO USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES Sure, it appears somewhat goofy to place Campbell on the No. 3 spot, however hear me out. First, that is the beginning of a distinct tier of desperation—Sirianni and McDermott are the clear prime two (in no matter order you like). Campbell leads the second tier, maybe just for this weekend, as a result of a loss at dwelling in opposition to the Commanders can be a giant blemish on his report. Campbell has fully modified the tradition for the higher in Detroit, however generally a franchise’s window for a championship could be only some seasons. The window is broad open proper now for the top-seeded Lions, and so they can’t falter in opposition to a heavy underdog this weekend.
4. John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens
Harbaugh is clearly an excellent coach, with double-digit wins six instances previously seven seasons. However time is ticking in Baltimore, and Harbaugh’s Tremendous Bowl title got here a dozen years in the past within the 2012 season. Since then, he’s 4-6 within the postseason, and sooner or later the entrance workplace and the fan base are going to begin to marvel if he has what it takes to get again to the promised land.
5. DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans
Jan 11, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik look on from the sector earlier than the sport in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers in an AFC wild card sport at NRG Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Troy Taormina-Imagn Photographs Ryans has gone 10-7 in back-to-back seasons in Houston and reached the playoffs in each of his first two years. That could be a actually spectacular begin to his teaching profession. It’s onerous to see main destructive penalties if he loses this weekend, but when something, he is among the coaches with probably the most to realize from a potential win. Think about if he and the Texans slay the dragon that’s Andy Reid and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. That might elevate his standing nationally and strengthen his job safety that rather more as he appears to mildew the Texans right into a title contender.
6. Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams
Dec 31, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay coaches in opposition to the New York Giants in the course of the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports activities It’s onerous to imagine that McVay is barely 38—he doesn’t flip 39 till subsequent week. It looks like he has been teaching endlessly already. Now in his eighth yr in Los Angeles, McVay has a Tremendous Bowl ring from the 2021 season and two NFC titles (2018, 2021). He’s 8-4 within the postseason and helped the Rams overcome a sluggish begin this yr to win the NFC West and knock off the 14-win Minnesota Vikings within the wild-card spherical. Now he goes up in opposition to Sirianni and the Eagles, and the strain is mainly off because the Rams look to drag off an upset and produce extra playoff magic.
7. Dan Quinn, Washington Commanders
Quinn and the Commanders are taking part in with home cash proper now. They’ve outperformed expectations at each flip, going 12-5 within the common season and incomes a highway playoff win in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. One other playoff problem, this time at Detroit, can solely assist with Jayden Daniels’ improvement going ahead. The long run is trying shiny for the Commanders.
8. Andy Reid, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Reid is headed straight to the Corridor of Fame earlier than too lengthy—the one query is what number of wins and what number of championships he brings with him to Canton. He has three Tremendous Bowl titles previously 5 seasons, and he’ll attempt to make it 4 out of six this yr. A loss to the Texans this weekend clearly wouldn’t be good, however Reid’s future is fully as much as him. He has earned it by this level.