Coaches, like quarterbacks, do not individually define a team. But they do have one of the biggest hands in whether their team wins or loses. Recently, some of them — both first-year hires and longtime veterans — have looked a lot more promising than others. And now that we’re over halfway through the 2022 schedule, every week matters even more as the playoff picture begins to take shape.
With Week 10 in the books, here’s a look at which head coaches are on the rise and decline:
Trending up
Mike Vrabel
USATSI
How do you win your sixth game in seven weeks (with the sole loss coming in overtime to the Chiefs) when you’ve had to start rookie quarterback Malik Willis twice, lean almost entirely on Derrick Henry, and possess one of the worst passing defenses in the NFL? Coaching, that’s how. Vrabel is well on pace for his fifth straight winning season running the Titans, even though his team has a negative point differential and his personnel suggests they belong at 4-5-1, like the rival Colts. Grit makes a difference, especially when Tennessee’s on-field identity is such a mirror of his personality.
Steve Wilks
The Panthers aren’t world-beaters, but they are competitive, and that’s a step up from the Matt Rhule era, at least early this year. Despite one unreliable option after another at QB, Wilks has overseen a slightly more creative offense, unlocking secondary pieces like Terrace Marshall Jr. and Laviska Shenault Jr., while smartly leaning on the bruising D’Onta Foreman. The defense, meanwhile, is playing with renewed energy, as evidenced in the team’s recent divisional win over Atlanta. Now 2-3 as the interim, he also deserves credit for the way he navigated Robbie Anderson’s ugly and Christian McCaffrey’s impactful departure.
Matt LaFleur
The Packers may or may not be back for good, but LaFleur’s game plan against the Cowboys sure played a big part in Green Bay snapping a five-game losing streak and upsetting a potential NFC contender coming off a bye. Wisely trusting Aaron Jones early and often, he also let Aaron Rodgers take some aggressive shots against a once-stingy Dallas “D,” only to witness A-Rod finally strike big-play chemistry with rookie Christian Watson. Hopefully, as Randall Cobb returns, he finds additional ways to keep…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at CBSSports.com Headlines…