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NFL coaching hot seat: Who's under the most pressure entering stretch run?

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With the playoff picture beginning to form, and several coaches having shaky 2022 campaigns, more teams are likely to join the Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts on the coaching carousel in the coming weeks.

Here are the coaches with the league's hottest seats.

Nathaniel Hackett, Broncos

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Hackett's inaugural ride as a head coach has been an utter disaster. The Broncos were expected to compete for the AFC West crown, but a 3-6 record has many wondering if Hackett is the latest in a bad run of sideline hires for the franchise.

Denver's been hindered by its offense. The Broncos are delivering a league-worst 14.6 points per game, with four of their five losses coming by less than one score. Russell Wilson, in particular, has failed to deliver on his promise since being acquired in the offseason. Yet his five-year, $245-million extension - including $165 million in guarantees - almost ensures that Hackett will shoulder the brunt of the blame.

On the bright side, Denver is holding the opposition to 16.6 ppg. It's just too bad that the team's offense has scored 20-plus points just twice. Even with significant injuries playing a factor, a new ownership group led by Rob Walton will likely have little attachment to Hackett as the Broncos head toward their seventh losing season since 2016.

Thermometer: πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯ (out of five)

Todd Bowles, Buccaneers

Most NFL coaches dream about having the greatest quarterback in NFL history lead their team. However, for Todd Bowles, the reality has been anything but pleasant.

Tampa Bay hasn't picked up where it left off after Bowles succeeded Bruce Arians this past offseason. Two years after winning Super Bowl LV, the Buccaneers currently sport a 5-5 record. That's not going to cut it for Tom Brady.

The Bucs have largely been out of sorts. Rob Gronkowski's retirement is clearly still being felt, while the departures of both starting guards from a year ago and an injury to center Ryan Jensen have held back the league-leading scoring offense from 2021.

But perhaps most concerning is Tampa Bay's defensive decline. Bowles, who remains the defensive coordinator, has seen his unit surrender 116 rushing yards per game this year.

The Bucs currently sit atop a woeful NFC South group, but they're not in a position to take their status for granted. Failure doesn't just mean closing the door on the Lombardi Trophy chase. It could also result in the swan song for Brady, and potentially Bowles, if early season misfortunes remain unresolved.

Thermometer: πŸ”₯

Josh McDaniels, Raiders

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The Raiders' future appears much bleaker than it did in the offseason following big free-agent additions such as Davante Adams and Chandler Jones. Quarterback Derek Carr shed tears after Las Vegas dropped its third straight game, this time to a TV analyst-turned-interim coach.

Before that, the Raiders blew a 20-10 lead against the Jaguars, and they were shut out by the Saints a week prior. The 2022 season is quickly resembling McDaniels' 2009-2010 Broncos tenure, in which he posted an 11-17 mark. Players haven't bought into his system.

Las Vegas has remained competitive, playing in seven one-score contests, but the team has struggled to win close games through a 2-7 start.

In most circumstances, McDaniels would be looking over his shoulder. However, ownership has reportedly given him assurances that he'll return in 2023 despite a dismal beginning to his term with the Silver and Black.

Thermometer:πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯

Dan Campbell, Lions

The "Hard Knocks" honeymoon is over in Detroit. Dan Campbell's entertaining proclamations feel like less of a rallying cry these days. With just three wins in the midst of his second campaign in the Motor City, it's fair to wonder if Campbell's enthusiasm and exuberant rhetoric can ever translate into success for a franchise that's struggled to be relevant.

Detroit has offered signs of progress. The offense has been able to score points in bunches during some high-scoring affairs. However, the Lions rank dead last in most defensive metrics. Despite flashes from young stars such as Aidan Hutchinson, they're surrendering a league-high 29.3 ppg.

Owner Sheila Hamp Ford has given her support for the current regime, so Campbell may escape the guillotine this season. But he'll likely need to make some tough staffing decisions if he aims to author more viral pressers for a third season in Detroit.

Thermometer:πŸ”₯πŸ”₯

Kliff Kingsbury, Cardinals

Dealing with extreme heat is par for the course in Arizona. So, perhaps Kliff Kingsbury is accustomed to a sizzling seat.

This inconsistent Cardinals team looks flustered and frustrated. From on-field shouting, to miscommunication, to complete breakdowns in all three phases of the game, it's clear Kingsbury and his players - especially Kyler Murray - aren't aligned. Additionally, Arizona doesn't have a victory against a team with a .500 record.

It remains unknown if 2021's 11-6 record was an anomaly for Kingsbury, who's established a 28-30-1 record through three-plus campaigns. He's only nine months removed from inking an extension that'd keep him alongside general manager Steve Keim through 2027, but there's little certainty Kingsbury will see it through.

The 43-year-old coach may hold onto his job going forward, but he's precariously close to losing his locker room if he can't rally his club.

Thermometer:πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯

Ron Rivera, Commanders

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Owner Dan Snyder might not be the only person thinking of making a split in Washington. With the looming drama regarding the team's ownership, Rivera has been tasked with providing consistency in a dysfunctional environment. That's been made more difficult with less than stellar play from quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke.

Washington sits with a 5-5 record entering Week 11, occupying the NFC East basement. Rivera, who's noted for his leadership and timely gambles at critical moments, has been unable to build off a playoff appearance after making his debut with the club in 2020.

Instead, the Commanders have been hot and cold this season. They squashed a four-game losing streak from Weeks 2-5 by winning their next three matchups before losing one to the Minnesota Vikings. Washington then bounced back this past week with an upset win over the previously unbeaten Philadelphia Eagles.

There's no doubt Rivera provides leadership and integrity to Washington, but with plenty of turmoil outside of FedEx Field, the sideline general could be a casualty of a complete teardown at the end of the year.

Thermometer: πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯

Lovie Smith, Texans

History isn't on the side of whomever roams the Texans' sideline. The club ditched first-year coach David Culley following a 4-13 campaign in 2021 in favor of Lovie Smith. Unfortunately, Houston still has a problem.

The Texans - who haven't been a legitimate playoff contender since Bill O'Brien's departure three years ago - sit last in the NFL with a 1-7-1 record. The roster isn't a talentless abyss, especially with the emergence of rookie tailback Dameon Pierce, and the team has been competitive at different spots this year. But Davis Mills has apparently regressed during his second year, and Houston ranks in the bottom 10 in most statistical categories ahead of Week 11.

Smith, 64, still has the respect of his locker room, especially after navigating a potential disruption regarding star receiver Brandin Cooks. However, there's a very real possibility Smith could be the Texans' second consecutive one-and-done coach.

Thermometer: πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯

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