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Power Ranking the 12 Head Coaches of the 2015 NFL Playoffs

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Power Ranking the 12 Head Coaches of the 2015 NFL Playoffs

Seattle Seahawks
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Another NFL regular season is in the books, and 12 teams now vie for the Lombardi Trophy. Head coaches are judged on whether they succeed in the postseason or not. Which coach gives his team the best advantage heading into the playoffs?

12. Ron Rivera

Ron Rivera
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12. Ron Rivera

Ron Rivera
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There's not much to say here. The Carolina Panthers finished 7-8-1 on the year, which was good enough to win the putrid NFC South. The Panthers were one-and-done last season in the playoffs, so it will be interesting to see how Rivera learns and prepares his team this week as they take on the Arizona Cardinals.

11. Marvin Lewis

Marvin Lewis
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11. Marvin Lewis

Marvin Lews
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The Marvin Lewis era in Cincinnati has been marred by disappointment in the regular season and the postseason. They have not won a playoff game in his tenure with the Bengals, and it wouldn't be out of the ordinary for that to happen again this season.

10. Jason Garrett

Jason Garrett
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10. Jason Garrett

Jason Garrett
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Jason Garrett is No. 10 on this list mainly because he is unproven in the playoffs. With the exception of this season, Garrett has put the ball in Tony Romo's hands too many times, which ultimately caused the Cowboys to falter late in the season. It's his first postseason appearance with Dallas, and it should be interesting to see if he sticks with his winning formula.

9. Jim Caldwell

Jim Caldwell
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9. Jim Caldwell

Jim Caldwell
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Jim Caldwell has experience coaching in the playoffs as he was the offensive coordinator for the Ravens two years ago when they made their run to the Super Bowl, but it remains to be seen if he can control his team in the highest of pressure situations.

8. John Fox

John Fox
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8. John Fox

John Fox
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John Fox has been to the Super Bowl twice -- once with the Denver Broncos and once with the Carolina Panthers -- so he has the experience. It's just hard to get over the fact that his Broncos team got destroyed in last year's Super Bowl. Anyway, this team goes as Peyton Manning goes.

7. John Harbaugh

John Harbaugh
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7. John Harbaugh

John Harbaugh
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He's a Super Bowl winner. That should be enough. But during a tumultuous year that could've derailed any team, John Harbaugh kept his team together, and they were able to sneak into the playoffs. With Harbaugh at the helm, you better believe that this team will be ready to compete.

6. Chuck Pagano

Chuck Pagano
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6. Chuck Pagano

Chuck Pagano
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That's three straight division titles for the Indianapolis Colts, and maybe this is the year that they finally make a run in the playoffs. With Pagano calling plays and Andrew Luck tearing up the NFL's best defenses, they are certainly a threat this year.

5. Mike Tomlin

Mike Tomlin
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5. Mike Tomlin

Mike Tomlin
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He's always been one of my favorite coaches. His no-nonsense, hard-nosed philosophy toward the game fits right in with what they expect in Pittsburgh. He already has a Super Bowl ring, and the Steelers will be one dangerous team in January.

4. Bruce Arians

Bruce Arians
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4. Bruce Arians

Bruce Arians
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It's truly amazing what Bruce Arians has been able to do this year with a revolving door at the quarterback position. Week in and week out, his team competes despite who the signal-caller is. The play calling never changes. The Cardinals have a great one.

3. Mike McCarthy

Mike McCarthy
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3. Mike McCarthy

Mike McCarthy
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Fresh off a fourth straight division title and a sixth straight playoff appearance, the duo of Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers are one of the most prolific tandems in NFL history. He's made necessary decisions throughout the year, including moving Clay Matthews to inside linebacker. He's got a Super Bowl ring, and McCarthy continues to be one of the most underrated coaches in the entire league.

2. Pete Carroll

Pete Carroll
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2. Pete Carroll

Pete Carroll
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No matter what you think of his on-field antics, Pete Carroll can flat out coach. After a rough start to the year, the Seattle Seahawks claimed the No. 1 seed in the NFC, and they appear to be the favorites in the conference. The Seahawks are seeking to become the first team since the Patriots to win back-to-back Super Bowls.

1. Bill Belichick

Bill Belichick
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1. Bill Belichick

Bill Belichick
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Is this really a question? No coach changes his gameplan week in and week out like Belichick. The Patriots hold an advantage over almost every opponent just because they have Belichick running the show.

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