While it's still early enough in the NFL season that nobody has been eliminated from the playoffs, there are certainly some teams that can feel the pressure already this year and are in win-now mode. Also, after years of ineptitude, some coaches know they may need to reach the playoffs to save their jobs. Here's a look at four of those coaches who are on the hot seat and need to start winning fast!
4. Gus Bradley, Jacksonville Jaguars
When Bradley took over the Jaguars in 2013, he inherited third-year quarterback Blaine Gabbert from the last regime. He selected Blake Bortles in the first round of the 2014 draft, and while Bortles had shown flashes, the Jaguars have still struggled mightily on offense. No, it doesn't help that third-overall pick Dante Fowler tore his ACL just eight days after being drafted, but Bradley's defense (his specialty) has especially shown a lack of punch. Everyone knew that Jaguars were in a rebuilding mode, but since they're placed in the AFC South, easily the weakest division in the AFC, it might be time for Jacksonville to move on.
3. Tom Coughlin, New York Giants
To be honest, I think the only reason why Coughlin was allowed to return to the team last year was, of course, Odell Beckham Jr. The fact that he's won two Super Bowls with the Giants also might be a factor, but the Giants have yet to reach the postseason in three years since last winning it all in 2011! Last years' win total (6-10) was the lowest its been since the beginning of the Coughlin-Eli Manning era in 2004, and the defense continues to blow 4th-quarter leads. This has nothing to do with Coughlin's age—but he's the oldest coach in the NFL at 69-years-old— and has more to do with how undisciplined his teams have become. If Beckham stays healthy this year and they still can't reach the playoffs, I think Coughlin will be shown the door.
2. Jeff Fisher, St. Louis Rams
Slow starts to the season have doomed Fisher's Rams in each of his first three seasons with the team. The defense always seems to start lighting up the stat sheet during Week 6 or 7, right about when the Rams are 2-5. Yes, Fisher didn't have a legitimate starting quarterback for the last half of his tenure, Sam Bradford tore his ACL twice, the first one in Week 7 of 2013 and the offense hasn't been viable in the other facets of the game because of a poor offensive line. Having not been able to match their NFC West division foes in terms of wins outside of the division, the Rams have been constantly behind the 8-ball during Fisher's tenure.
1. Joe Philbin, Miami Dolphins
Does anyone know why Philbin was allowed to stay the head coach of the Dolphins after last season. It was a poor decision by Stephen Ross to assure that he would be back for 2015 before Philbin had even recorded his first winning season at the helm, because then the Dolphins went out and got smoked 37-24 by the Geno Smith-led New York Jets at home to end the season. Ryan Tannehill has shown flashes, and he's paid like their franchise quarterback. Fine. Where has the defense been, then? Yes, Philbin was the offensive coordinator in Green Bay when they won the Super Bowl in 2010, but to be a head coach you have to handle both sides of the ball well. Philbin tops this list because he has no track record of success at the highest level, unlike Coughlin or Fisher, and the Dolphins are already trying to dig themselves out of a hole early in 2015.
