Welcome back to Belly Up’s Over-Reactionary Coach’s Hot Seat Scale – or BUORCHSS for short. As always, we have some movement in this week’s NFL hot seat scale for Week Five. Most importantly, we’ve had another entry into the Toast category! As usual, if you need an explanation of this scale, refer to Week One’s column.
Coach-for-Life
Matt Nagy, Kliff Kingsbury, Matt Rhule, Jon Gruden, Mike Tomlin, Sean McVay, John Harbaugh, Romeo Crennell, Brian Flores, Kevin Stefanski, Pete Carroll, Sean Peyton, Mike Vrabel
After the Texans finally fired Bill O’Brien, defensive coordinator Romeo Crennell stepped in and led the team to their first win in 2020. Granted, it was against the Jaguars, who have lost four games in a row, but a win is a win and a new Coach for Life is crowned (for this week). McVay, Harbaugh, Tomlin, and Vrabel’s teams each remained perfect with dominant wins. The most impressive was by Vrabel’s Titans. They hadn’t practiced in two weeks and yet still dominated the Bills on the first Tuesday NFL game since 1946. Rhule’s Panthers keep rolling with their third consecutive win which led to a coach’s entry into to the Toast level. Flores’ Dolphins pulled off one of the most notable upsets of the young season by beating the 49ers in Santa Clara.
Tepid
Bruce Arians, Andy Reid, Ron Rivera, Zac Taylor, Frank Reich, Mike McCarthy, Mike Zimmer, Sean McDermott
None of these coaches are in real jeopardy of losing their jobs, but McCarthy (no relation) is back in the Tepid scale after the Cowboys pulled off a win against the Giants. Reid’s Chiefs and McDermott’s Bills each suffered their first losses of the season. The Chiefs score is deceptive because the Raiders figured out how to win against the Chiefs: keep them off of the field. Reich’s Colts played the Browns close, but two interceptions by Philip Rivers sank their chances for a win.
Instant Pot
Doug Pedersen, Doug Marrone, Kyle Shanahan, Joe Judge, Anthony Lynn
It’s time for some of these teams to get their first win quick. Otherwise, some of these coaches might be on their way to the next scale (and it’s not up). Pedersen’s Eagles were a long field goal away from handing the Steelers their first defeat. The field goal backfired and they lost by nine. Marrone’s Jaguars are young, but in a freefall after losing their fourth consecutive game. While Shanahan’s 49ers are banged up, they were routed handily by the Dolphins. Judge’s Giants nearly left Dallas with a win, but they were let down by their defense. Lynn’s Chargers had a 10-point lead in New Orleans, only to see it slip away in the second half on Monday night.
Circle of Hell: Level 8
Adam Gase
How is he still here?!? That’s the question every Jets fan has asked since Week 1. After the Jets’ 11th loss by double-digits in Gase’s tenure, Jets fans were looking for answers for their 0-5 start. They received none. Then, on Tuesday night, the Jets inexplicably released their best, yet misused offensive player (Le’Veon Bell). The Jets are a trainwreck full of dumpster fires and Gase is holding a hose attached to a fuel tank. Will Gase stay on this NFL hot seat scale or will he be Toast like our next coach?
Toast
Dan Quinn
Since their epic collapse in the Super Bowl three seasons ago, the Falcons have been trying to get back there to prove that their collapse was a one-off. They made the playoffs the following season, but have finished under .500 the last two seasons. This season, the Falcons have blown leads of 15 or more and this week’s loss to the Panthers was the last straw. After the loss, Dan Quinn, as well as general manager Thomas Dimitroff, were let go. The Falcons are 0-5 and don’t look to be competitive this season. Will they free Matt Ryan and Julio Jones? Time will tell. (But if you support the freeing of Julio Jones, show your support with this sweet tee in our Teespring shop.)
N/A: Bill Belichick, Vic Fangio, Matt Patricia, Matt LaFleur. The Pats-Broncos game was moved due to stupid Rona and the Lions and Packers had a bye week.
Got your own take about the NFL hot seat scale? Leave a comment below or hit me up on Twitter: @WhoIsRyanMcC. And don’t forget to check out my podcast No Credentials Required (new episodes every Wednesday) and my live stream show A-Round for the Weekend (most Fridays at 6:30pm).
