Ranking the 14 head coaches in the NFL's powerhouse playoff field

There are some who believe that defenses still win championships in the NFL. Others are sure it's impossible without a true franchise quarterback leading the way. And still others will say it comes down to the trenches and dominating both lines of scrimmage.

But sometimes playoff success is more about the man at the top.

With most games coming down to the fourth quarter and no easy teams on the schedule, it takes a strong head coach to navigate the gauntlet of the postseason. Teams need a leader who can motivate his players, stay cool under pressure, push all the right buttons and make the right decisions. They need a coach who is not afraid of risk, but knows when not to take it.

And they need a coach who'll make the right call in the right spot with the game on the line.

So who are the best of those coaches in the current playoff field? It's a tough call, because the group of 14 this year includes some of the best coaches in the game. It includes eight who have led a team to a Super Bowl already, five who have won it, and one who won an NCAA championship.

But based on a combination of their championship history, their recent success, and what they've done with their teams this season, here is our ranking of all 14 head coaches in the 2024-05 postseason:

1. Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs

Big Red is a no-brainer for the top spot on this list, considering his record. He's won three Super Bowls in the past five years, been to four, and has taken the Chiefs to six straight AFC Championship games. And oh, by the way, he once took the Eagles to five NFC Championship games, too. The man knows how to win when it counts, as his 26-16 playoff record indicates. In 19 trips to the playoffs, his teams have won at least one game 14