Which NFL Coach Will Be Fired? Here Are Some Odds

Filed in archive NFL on October 17, 2007

While fans in places like New England, Indianapolis and Dallas are enjoying the success of their NFL teams, things aren't going swimmingly elsewhere. Inevitably, some NFL head coaches will lose their jobs at the end of the season. That's just the way football is, if a coach can't get the job done, management will try and find somebody who can. It used to be coaches got four or five years to turn things around. But in today's NFL climate, fans, media and ownership want immediate results.

That said, let's deliver some odds on which current NFL coaches will get the heave-ho after the season.

Scott Linehan, St. Louis Rams: 3-1
In Linehan's second year with the team, the Rams are an unmitigated disaster. The team is 0-6, and local media is beginning to wonder if this team has a real shot of going 0-16. Team president John Shaw has publicly said that Linehan remains firmly entrenched, but he didn't hesitate to remind folks that there will be an evaluation of the coaching staff at the end of the season. If

Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals: 5-1
The Bengals 1-4 and struggling to find consistency on both sides of the ball. Lewis has presided over an extremely rocky and embarrassing period for the team, with numerous players getting arrested. Now the Bengals are 1-4, in last place in the AFC North, and teammates are getting into arguments on the field. Right or wrong, there is a growing perception that Lewis has little control over his team.

Romeo Crennel, Cleveland Browns: 10-1
Crennel was on the hottest of hot seats when the season began, but the Browns have showed improvement this season, as they stand at 3-3. Young players like wide receiver Braylon Edwards have begun playing to their potential, and there is finally some hope in Cleveland that this thing might get turned around. If the Browns can stay competitive, Crennel will probably save his job for another year.

Brad Childress, Minnesota Vikings: 15-1
Vikings owner Zygi Wilf recently gave Childress a vote of confidence, but fans are not pleased in the Twin Cities, as Childress has come under fire for his team's lack of offense. Childress is only in his second year, and running back Adrian Peterson has brought some life to the Vikings, so as long as they avoid a complete collapse, it seems like Childress' job may be safe for the time being.

(Photo: Seattle Times)