Wildcard weekend saw some great coaching, from teams that made statement wins in their victories for another week to fight in the Divisional round. However, a couple of coaches’ futures are in question, after their respective teams’ playoff games, collapsed. There will be some dusting off of resumes.
Here are the grades for all NFL team’s head coaches that competed in Wildcard weekend:
BYE WEEK: San Francisco 49ers Kyle Shanahan
The Niners had a bye week and will play the Packers.
BYE WEEK: Baltimore Ravens John Harbaugh
The Ravens had a bye week and will play the Texans.
Buffalo Bills: Sean McDermott: B+
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Sean McDermott’s Bills played a strong game in frigid weather, as they sent the Pittsburgh Steelers home, in a 31-17 victory. Josh Allen played an incredible game with three touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown while the Bills’ defense had a sack, fumble recovery, and an interception. McDermott’s team showed why they belong in the playoffs, after going 5-0 post their week 13 bye week. Now it is time for McDermott to focus his team on their upcoming Divisional round matchup, with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Cleveland Browns: Kevin Stefanski: D
Kevin Stefanski’s team ran into a massive roadblock in the Houston Texans, as they were bounced out of the playoffs, 14-45. Joe Flacco did not play his best game, and lost his first wildcard game. Jim Schwartz’s defense was nonexistent, as the Texans ran all over them in the loss. The Browns enter the offseason with Deshaun Watson returning from his shoulder surgery and trying to maintain their defense for a busy 2024 season. Stefanski will certainly be making some hard decisions in the offseason.
Dallas Cowboys: Mike McCarthy: D+
It was a rough afternoon for Mike McCarthy and the Cowboys, as they lost 32-48 to the Green Bay Packers. Dak Prescott looked alright with three touchdowns to Jake Ferguson but threw two costly interceptions to the Packers. The Cowboys’ defense, which has been good throughout the regular season, had a rough afternoon as they couldn’t even touch the Packers’ offense, in their humiliating playoff exit. McCarthy and the Cowboys have a few things to fix in the upcoming offseason.
Detroit Lions: Dan Campbell: B+
Dan Campbell has truly brought a winning formula to the Lions, as they earned their first playoff win since 1991, in their 24-23 statement victory over the Los Angeles Rams. Jared Goff looked well as he threw a touchdown against no interceptions. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery both scored rushing touchdowns, and Sam LaPorta scored a receiving touchdown. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn’s unit had two sacks against Matthew Stafford, as the Lions march on and focus on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers coming to town in the Divisional round.
Green Bay Packers: Matt LaFleur: A-
Matt LaFleur’s Packers had a strong Sunday afternoon, in their 48-32 statement victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Jordan Love looked incredible, as he threw three touchdowns against no interceptions. Aaron Jones scored three touchdowns in the afternoon. Romeo Doubs, Like Musgrave, and Dontayvion Wicks all scored touchdowns. The Packers defense torched the Cowboys for a majority of the game, and Darnell Savage had an interception returned for a 64-yard pick-six. Matt LaFluer turns his attention to getting the Packs ready for a serious road test against the San Francisco 49ers, in the NFC Divisional round.
Houston Texans: DeMeco Ryans: A
It was a strong night for DeMeco Ryans, as the Texans defeated the favored Cleveland Browns 45-14. Ryans’ defense showed no mercy as they sacked Joe Flacco four times, picked him off twice, and scored two pick-sixes. Ryans and the rest of the Texans coaching staff should be very proud of themselves, for the positive culture change they’ve brought to this young franchise.
Kansas City Chiefs: Andy Reid: A-
Andy Reid and the Chiefs had a very strong showing at home, in subzero temperatures, as they defeated the Miami Dolphins 26-7. Patrick Mahomes looked strong, as he threw a touchdown against no interceptions. Isiah Pacheco and Rashee Rice both scored touchdowns and the Chiefs defense froze the speedy Dolphins’ offense thanks to the help of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. It was a solid coaching night for Reid, as the Chiefs moved on to the divisional round.
Los Angeles Rams: Sean McVay: B-
Sean McVay’s Rams played well on the road, as they fell just one point short in their 23-24 loss to the Detroit Lions. Matthew Stafford threw two touchdowns against no picks and Puka Nacua looked incredible as he had 181 receiving yards and scored a touchdown. The Rams’ defense had three sacks over Jared Goff but no interceptions. McVay’s Rams head into the offseason with a few things to address, as they get prepared for a competitive 2024 season.
Miami Dolphins: Mike McDaniel: D
Mike McDaniel’s team ran into a frozen roadblock, as the Dolphins lost 7-26 to the Kansas City Chiefs. Tua Tagovailoa threw a touchdown to Tyreek Hill, who played well in his return to KC, against one interception. Raheem Mostert had a very quiet night and the Dolphins’ defense froze against the Chiefs’ speedy offense. McDaniel needs his team to be healthy for the 2024 season, if they are to make a playoff run. Losing Bradley Chubb in week 17 against the Baltimore Ravens, certianly stung as the Dolphins missed his presence as they headed into the offseason.
Philadelphia Eagles: Nick Sirianni: D
Nick Siriannai’s Eagles did not play a sharp game, as they fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-32. Jalen Hurts may have thrown a touchdown against no interceptions but the Eagles were completely shutout in the second half of the game and couldn’t force any turnovers against the Bucs. Rumors swirled around Sirianni’s future, despite him not being worried about the playoff letdown. He is turning his attention to retooling the Eagles in the 2024 offseason.
Pittsburgh Steeler: Mike Tomlin: C-
Mike Tomlin’s Steelers didn’t play their best football, as they were sent home in a 17-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills. The offense played okay, with Mason Rudolph under center as he threw two touchdowns against one interception, but the running game between Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren was frozen, for a majority of the game. The Steelers’ defense had two sacks and no defensive turnovers. They are hurting without T.J. Watt, who is recovering from a grade II MCL sprain. It was a tough Monday for Tomlin and the Steelers, as they enter the offseason with a few things to fix for a better 2024 season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Todd Bowles: B+
Todd Bowles’ Buccaneers had a strong showing in their 32-9 playoff victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Baker Mayfield threw three touchdowns against no interceptions but was sacked four times. The Bucs’ defense shined, with three sacks against Jalen Hurts as they kept the Eagles out of the endzone, in the second half of the game, despite Dallas Goedert scoring a touchdown in the second quarter. Bowles’ team fought hard as underdogs. Now he can get his team focused on their Divisional round matchup, against the Detroit Lions.
