NFL

NFL coaches on the hot seat after Week 13

With two NFL coaches already fired this season and more losses in Week 13, these coaches might be getting a little nervous.

MIKE CARLSONAFP

Another head coach was fired after Week 13 as the Chicago Bears let Matt Eberflus go after another mismanaged game clock led to a 23-20 loss to the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving.

He was the third NFL head coach to be fired before the end of this season. The New York Jets were the first to fire a coach when they let Robert Saleh go after just Week five, when he had the Jets at a 2-3 start. The second was New Orleans Saints coach Dennis Allen, who was fired after seven straight losses.

On Sunday, several coaches who are already on the hot seat also suffered losses and must be starting to feel nervous. Here’s which coaches should be worried.

NFL coaches on the hot seat after Week 13

Doug Pederson, Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10)

The Jaguars are one of four teams that have already been eliminated from playoff contention. They are one of the worst teams in the league and are set to have the No. 1 overall draft pick next year. Pederson has been sitting in the hot seat a long time, but somehow miraculously made it to Week 13 despite a 52-6 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 11. It seems that the Jaguars have simply resigned to their fate and are not even trying anymore. After a 17-6 start with the Jags, Pederson then went 3-15 and is now 20-26 as the head coach. At this point in the season, it’s likely they are just letting it play out and that Pederson will be gone by the end of it.

Antonio Pierce, Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)

Pierce’s game management may have cost them a win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 13 and it wouldn’t be the first time. His hiring was a bit surprising to begin with as he had very little head coaching experience, with what little of it he has coming at the high school level. After becoming the Raiders’ interim coach last season, he’s now 7-14 with the team. The Raiders are now last in the NFL standings and eliminated from playoff contention and Pierce is not likely to make it past the season.

Brian Daboll, New York Giants (2-10)

While the Giants' problems go far beyond the head coach, Daboll is not exactly helping the situation as he doesn’t seem to get along well with others. Reports came out last year that he had “brutal” outburts at the coaching staff and this year, his players, including rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, have criticized him for having a short fuse. Although many upper management issues led to the Giants' fate this season as well, Daboll’s 17-28-1 record in New York doesn’t look good for his future there.

Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys (5-7)

There’s been talk of McCarthy on the hot seat since last postseason and after their awful performance this year, it was almost certain he wouldn’t be returning for another year once his contract was up. But after the Cowboys beat the Commanders in Week 12, owner Jerry Jones said it’s possible McCarthy will get an extension. After three straight 12-5 seasons, there is a case to be made that McCarthy should stick around - plus, he was set up to fail this season. But his lack of success in the playoffs and a potentially losing record this year don’t look good for him, despite what Jerry says now. They didn’t sign him to an extension after his three 12-5 seasons...why would they do so now?

Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)

Taylor went from taking the Bengals to multiple AFC Championship Games and Super Bowls, to going 13-16 over the last two seasons. They are now 4-8 and third in the AFC North this season with five games left. Still, the Bengals did keep Marvin Lewis around for 16 seasons despite never having won a playoff game with the team and having just seven winning seasons. He’s on the hot seat with this record and another loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 13, but his past success is enough that his seat is cooler than the other struggling coaches.

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