The divisional round of the NFL playoffs is where the cream of the coaching crop rises to the top—or crumbles under the weight of postseason pressure. With eight teams battling for a shot at the conference championships, every decision, every adjustment, and every timeout carries the weight of an entire season’s hopes and dreams.
It’s not just about the final score—it’s about how these leaders guided their squads through the highest-stakes moments of the year. Here’s how the eight remaining NFL head coaches stack up after the divisional round!
Who are the top-ranking head coaches in the NFL after the Divisional Round?
8. Houston Texans: DeMeco Ryans
The loss hurts, but there is no denying that DeMeco Ryans has laid a solid foundation for the Texans’ future. He has instilled a sense of toughness and accountability that has revitalized the franchise. Stroud’s growth under Ryans’s leadership has been super encouraging, and with the way this team played hard all year in spite of the onslaught of injuries, Houston has to be feeling good about its young NFL head coach.
7. Detroit Lions: Dan Campbell
To be fair to Campbell and Detroit, the injuries have been a thorn in their side all year, but there were too many times on Saturday night that Washington outclassed them.
