Breaking Down the Coaching Ranks as NFL Playoffs Loom
As the NFL playoffs kick into gear, all eyes are not just on the players but also on the strategists calling the shots from the sidelines. The staff at CBSSports.com recently took on the hefty challenge of ranking all 14 NFL playoff coaching staffs, delving deep into the mix of head coaches, offensive coordinators, and defensive coordinators to provide an insightful evaluation.
Tier 5: Questions of Competence Loom Large
Right at the bottom, in Tier 5, ominously titled "Are we sure they know what they're doing?" are the Houston Texans. DeMeco Ryans is leading the charge as head coach, with Bobby Slowik and Kevin Burke spearheading the offensive and defensive strategies, respectively. While these names may not strike fear into opponents, the playoffs often have surprises in store, so only time will tell if they can exceed expectations.
Tier 4: Room for Improvement
Moving up a bit, Tier 4 is where the Washington Commanders, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers find themselves, under the banner of "We have some questions." Dan Quinn, with a rich playoff past, leads the Commanders alongside Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Whitt Jr. The Steelers, guided by the veteran Mike Tomlin, haven't seen playoff victory since 2016—a statistic that Arthur Smith and Teryl Austin will be keen to change. Meanwhile, Todd Bowles and his dual coordinators in Tampa, Liam Coen and the duo of Larry Foote and Kacy Rodgers, round out this group with much to prove.
Tier 3: Close, But Not Quite at the Top
Tier 3, titled "Good, but...", features the Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles. The Broncos are in the hands of Sean Payton, Joe Lombardi, and Vance Joseph—a trio that might just have what it takes to turn heads. The Eagles, with a promising combination of Nick Sirianni, Kellen Moore, and Vic Fangio, aren't out of contention for a deeper playoff run either.
Tier 2: Proficient Leadership
In Tier 2, considered "Straight-up well-coached football teams," are the Green Bay Packers, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, and Minnesota Vikings. Each of these teams boasts leadership that's both experienced and innovative—Green Bay under Matt LaFleur, for instance, or the Buffalo Bills with Sean McDermott at the helm. The coaching prowess in the Chargers, Rams, and Vikings adds to the depth of this tier, setting the stage for some intriguing matchups ahead.
Tier 1: Coaching at Its Finest
Finally, Tier 1 showcases "The Elite," with the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Detroit Lions leading. The Chiefs' trio of Andy Reid, Matt Nagy, and Steve Spagnuolo is formidable, though worth noting is Nagy not calling plays. In Baltimore, John Harbaugh relies on new DC Zach Orr, already making waves in his debut season. Meanwhile, the Lions’ Dan Campbell, along with sought-after coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, have positioned themselves as the cream of the crop, drawing interest from teams searching for their next head coach.
As the countdown to the playoffs dwindles, these rankings offer fans a fresh lens through which to view the forthcoming games. With every game, we'll see if these rankings hold or if unexpected performances disrupt the hierarchy. The drama is just beginning, and with this array of coaching talents ready to orchestrate their unique symphonies, the NFL playoffs promise to be a thrilling spectacle.