Through the first nine weeks of the NFL season, former Oakland Raiders head coach Dennis Allen has been the only major coaching casualty around the league.
With some teams now coming to the realization that they may be out of contention for a playoff spot, there promises to be some rumors about coaches potentially getting their walking papers.
Here is a look at some head coaches who may very well be nearing the end with their teams.
Mike Smith, Atlanta Falcons
The only thing potentially saving Smith’s job is the fact that Atlanta plays in the worst division in football. Even at 2-6 on the season, the Falcons are just one game behind the New Orleans Saints in the NFC South. Atlanta has lost 14 of its last 18 regular season games and 11 of its last 12 road games under Smith. Outside of the results, the lack of overall competitiveness has to worry owner Arthur Blank. Five of Atlanta’s six losses this season have come by double digits. This has led to some speculation that the Falcons may just move on from Smith.
Arthur Blank is livid over Falcons performance. Owner mulling major changes to organization: http://t.co/r04a7xoc8a
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) November 2, 2014
If Blank is already set on firing Smith, he could very well make that decision before the end of the season. After a road game against the lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week, the Falcons have a stretch of seven incredibly difficult games to end the season. A continuation of their five-game losing streak could mean the end of the line for Smith.
Rex Ryan, New York Jets
Rex Ryan knows Jets' final 7 games are bid to save his job #nyj: http://t.co/wft9Rbym9E
— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) November 4, 2014
Losers of eight in a row, the Jets may in fact now be the worst team in football. Yes, that even includes the winless Oakland Raiders. The team ranks 30th in scoring offense, 31st in scoring defense and 30th in point differential. That’s simply not going to get it done.
And when it comes to actual victories on the football field, Ryan’s squad has lost eight in a row with tough a tough game coming up against a red-hot Pittsburgh Steelers team prior to a Week 11 bye. How can Jets ownership justify keeping Ryan on the sidelines if the team enters its Week 11 bye with a 1-9 record and losers of nine consecutive? The NFL is a results-driven league, and Ryan simply hasn’t provided the necessary results to be considered a long-term solution in New Jersey.
Tom Coughlin, New York Giants
Following an embarrassing 40-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Monday, the Giants are 3-5 on the season and have been outscored by a total of 53 points during their current three-game losing streak. Closer to last place than first and three games behind the Philadelphia Eagles in the division, it’s rather obvious the Giants are going to miss out on the playoffs for a third consecutive season.
And while Coughlin’s seat has been hot multiple times throughout his 11-year tenure, this might very well be different. Every other time there was speculation over Coughlin losing his job, the Giants responded big time…the last time by running the table to end the 2011 season and earn a Super Bowl championship following a 7-7 start. That’s simply not going to happen this year. And to be honest, it just might be time for both the Giants and Coughlin to move on from this rather lengthy marriage. Though, it must be noted that Coughlin’s past success may indicate that the organization will give him the remainder of the year.
Photo: NY Post