When it comes to the NFL, the head coaches receive much of the blame or glory, even though they aren’t the ones on the field.
After all, they’re the ones steering the ship. Through three weeks of the 2024 season, we’ve got a good look at how each coach handles the pressure, adjusts game plans, and manages their roster.
Let’s rank them from top to bottom!
Who are the top head coaches in the NFL after week three of games?
32. Chicago Bears: Matt Eberflus (Last Week #28)
The seat underneath Matt Eberflus is starting to smell mighty hot. Chicago’s fan base is tired of his lack of creativity and poor in-game decision-making. With the team sitting at 0-3 and their offense looking uninspired, the calls for a coaching change are growing louder. We may see a change here before the season is over.
31. Tennessee Titans: Brian Callahan (Last Week #30)
Safe to say that Brian Callahan’s head coaching career hasn’t exactly gotten off to the start he wanted in Nashville. His team fell to 0-3 and looked completely overmatched from a coaching standpoint. Callahan needs to rally his squad quickly or risk being one-and-done as an NFL head coach.
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30. Jacksonville Jaguars: Doug Pederson (Last Week #24)
Doug Pederson’s frustration with his team’s performance was palpable, and rightfully so. The Jaguars have failed to live up to expectations thus far, and things are spiraling. I wouldn’t be shocked to see the plug get pulled on Pederson soon, as this team is regressing in serious ways.
29. Carolina Panthers: Dave Canales (Last Week #32)
It is unclear if it was Dave Canales’ decision or ownership’s, but making the change from Bryce Young to Andy Dalton was clearly the right one. Canales’ squad balled out this week against Las Vegas, and it may have bought him a little more time to prove himself as an NFL head coach.
28. New York Giants: Brian Daboll (Last Week #31)
Brian Daboll’s leadership was evident this week in how the Giants responded to a humiliating loss the week prior. Daboll rallied his team, who many thought would throw in the towel, and pulled out a gutsy win. That’s the type of leadership New York needs as they look to right the ship.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Mike McCarthy (Last Week #23)
Mike McCarthy did not have his best week, as the Ravens imposed their will on both sides of the ball against Dallas for most of the contest. McCarthy will need to get his team back on track soon, or this could be a season that quickly slips away from them.
Also Read: Grading All 32 NFL Teams’ Head Coaches After Week 2 Games Of The 2024 Season
26. New England Patriots: Jerod Mayo (Last Week #18)
Welp, hope it was fun while it lasted, New England, because it looks like Jerod Mayo is finally feeling the growing pains of being a first-year NFL head coach. The Pats looked undisciplined and unprepared on the short week and got downright stomped by the Jets.
25. Washington Commanders: Dan Quinn (Last Week #29)
It’s hard to believe based on Washington’s past struggles, but Dan Quinn has the Commanders playing disciplined, complementary football. While the offense has had some inconsistencies, the defense has looked solid. Quinn’s experience and steady leadership are paying dividends.
24. Las Vegas Raiders: Antonio Pierce (Last Week #20)
Antonio Pierce’s squad looked flat and unprepared. The conservative play-calling from offensive coordinator Luke Getsy drew boos from the home crowd, and with good reason, as they lost to the lowly Panthers. Pierce will need to make adjustments fast or risk losing control of the locker room.
23. Miami Dolphins: Mike McDaniel (Last Week #13)
2024 has gotten off to a rocky start for Mike McDaniel, one of the better offensive minds in the league. The Dolphins are 1-2 and now face a quarterback controversy. With injuries and inconsistency hampering the team’s momentum, McDaniel has his work cut out for him in the coming weeks.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Nick Sirianni (Last Week #22)
It seems like the sentiment around Nick Sirianni in Philly is still overwhelmingly negative, but at least his team rallied late for him. The Eagles pulled off a hard-fought win, which will help to keep the media off his back for a little while longer. However, Sirianni’s leash is short in this football-crazed city.
21. Indianapolis Colts: Shane Steichen (Last Week #26)
Shane Steichen managed the game with tactical precision, leaning on his defense and rushing attack to absorb the impact of his rookie quarterback’s struggles. It was impressive to see Steichen’s ability to pivot and adapt, which secured a much-needed win for Indianapolis.
20. Cleveland Browns: Kevin Stefanski (Last Week #14)
Kevin Stefanski faces a growing challenge as injuries and inconsistent play plagued the Browns’ offense—not to mention the disaster that is unfolding with Deshaun Watson under center. Stefanski will need to rally his team and address their glaring weaknesses ahead of next week’s matchup with the Raiders.
19. Denver Broncos: Sean Payton (Last Week #25)
Sean Payton has been criticized for his early-season struggles, but his Week 3 game plan was spot on. Payton simplified the offense for rookie Bo Nix, allowing him to play within himself and avoid costly mistakes. Denver is still a work in progress, but this was a step in the right direction.
18. Los Angeles Rams: Sean McVay (Last Week #27)
Sean McVay’s leadership shone through as the Rams avoided a dreaded 0-3 start against a tough 49ers team. McVay deserves a lot of credit for keeping his team focused and guiding them to a win despite missing key offensive weapons.
17. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Gannon (Last Week #16)
Jonathan Gannon had his team fighting hard until the end, but missed opportunities and poor execution ultimately cost them. The Cardinals have shown flashes of potential, but Gannon needs to find ways to close out games if they hope to turn things around.
16. Cincinnati Bengals: Zac Taylor (Last Week #17)
Zac Taylor is facing a tough start to the season, as his Bengals now sit at 0-3. The pressure is mounting, and Taylor will need to find a way to get his team back on track before the seat under him starts to get a little too warm for comfort.
15. New York Jets: Robert Saleh (Last Week #19)
Robert Saleh put together a near-flawless game plan. His defense suffocated the Patriots all night, and the offense executed at a high level. The Jets look like they’re starting to hit their stride, and Saleh deserves credit for navigating a tough quarterback situation with poise.
14. Atlanta Falcons: Raheem Morris (Last Week #15)
Raheem Morris’s game plan was a little too conservative to knock off the two-time defending champs. Without the right balance between the run and pass, the Falcons couldn’t complete drives to get their second win of the season.
13. Seattle Seahawks: Mike Macdonald (Last Week #21)
Mike Macdonald has the Seahawks playing great ball. His defense continues to shine, and his offensive play-calling allowed Seattle to close out a short-handed Miami team effectively. Macdonald is quickly making a name for himself as one of the best young coaches in the league.
12. Baltimore Ravens: John Harbaugh (Last Week #12)
John Harbaugh had his team ready to bounce back from an 0-2 start, crafting a game plan that played to Baltimore’s strengths. His decision to lean on the run game and put the ball in Lamar Jackson’s hands paid off, securing the Ravens’ first win of the season.
11. New Orleans Saints: Dennis Allen (Last Week #10)
Dennis Allen has had a strong start to the year, but his decision to go for it on fourth-and-1 late in the third quarter instead of taking the points proved costly. The Saints failed to convert and ultimately fell to the Eagles for their first loss of the year.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Todd Bowles (Last Week #5)
After a great start to the season, Todd Bowles laid an egg this week. His team came out flat and couldn’t execute against a winless Denver side. Bowles will need to regroup his squad before things start to spiral.
9. San Francisco 49ers: Kyle Shanahan (Last Week #7)
Kyle Shanahan’s play-calling was effective early, helping the 49ers build a 14-point lead. But they faltered down the stretch, allowing the Rams to steal the win. Shanahan needs to find ways to finish games better if the Niners hope to remain a top contender.
8. Los Angeles Chargers: Jim Harbaugh (Last Week #1)
Week 3 wasn’t it for Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers. The decision to trot Justin Herbert out there with an injury didn’t pay off, and the offense struggled all game. While there’s little reason to be concerned long-term, Harbaugh takes a dip in the rankings this week.
7. Detroit Lions: Dan Campbell (Last Week #6)
Week 3 was a good shot at redemption for Dan Campbell. When the offense stalled in the second half, Campbell’s defense stepped up. His ability to adapt on the fly and keep his team motivated is a big reason why the Lions continue to impress.
6. Houston Texans: DeMeco Ryans (Last Week #2)
DeMeco Ryans’ team seemed unprepared for Minnesota’s aggressive defense and struggled to adapt after getting hit early. Ryans is one of the top young coaches in the league, but this week was a humbling experience. Expect a bounce-back soon.
5. Green Bay Packers: Matt LaFleur (Last Week #11)
With the way the Packers have looked thus far, Matt LaFleur might start getting some Coach of the Year attention. LaFleur has done an excellent job of playing to Malik Willis’s strengths while also helping him develop as a quarterback. The Packers are sitting pretty at 2-1, and if LaFleur can keep this momentum going, Green Bay will be a serious contender in the NFC.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Tomlin (Last Week #9)
Mike Tomlin continues to orchestrate a classic Steelers formula: physical, grind-it-out football complemented by a dominant defense and an opportunistic offense. Tomlin faces a tough decision as Russell Wilson nears his return, but with Justin Fields playing well, it’s a good problem to have. Tomlin’s steady leadership keeps the Steelers in a great position early in the season.
3. Buffalo Bills: Sean McDermott (Last Week #8)
Sean McDermott had his team firing on all cylinders this week with a perfectly executed game plan on both sides of the ball. Buffalo looked dominant in their Week 3 win, and McDermott’s ability to keep his team focused after a long layoff is a testament to his coaching prowess. The Bills look like a team ready to challenge for a Super Bowl once again.
2. Kansas City Chiefs: Andy Reid (Last Week #3)
Andy Reid’s ability to make in-game adjustments has long proven to be one of his top skills. Week 3 was another masterclass in coaching, as Reid’s offense came alive in the second quarter to take control of the game. Reid is the mastermind behind the Chiefs’ continued success and shows no signs of slowing down.
1. Minnesota Vikings: Kevin O'Connell (Last Week #4)
The Vikings executed well in all phases this week, and Kevin O’Connell’s focus on discipline and intensity has Minnesota off to a surprising 3-0 start. O’Connell deserves a ton of credit for the work he’s done with Sam Darnold, who has thrived under his leadership. If O’Connell can keep this up, he’ll be in the running for Coach of the Year.
Also Read: 5 WORST NFL Head Coaches In The Game Today, And The 5 BEST That Always Dominate
