Last season’s Super Bowl show down between Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams was watched by two-thirds of the population in the United States. Viewing figures of 112.3 million were up 16.5 percent on last years showpiece and make Super Bowl LVI the most watched TV program for five years.
NFL games also made up 75 of the top 100 most-watched broadcasts in the US in 2021, demonstrating the continuing popularity of the game, both in the US and globally. With so many teams in with a chance of lifting the Vince Lombardi Trophy this season, expect those viewing figures to rise even further.
Ranking Head Coaches
Who will be lining up in this seasons Super Bowl in Arizona? Looking at the latest NFL odds, that question looks harder than ever to answer this time around.
With so many teams boasting top class QB’s on their roster, games are harder than ever to call. Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan, Justin Herbert, Matthew Stafford, Russell Wilson, Josh Allen and Tom Brady, are just some of the game changers out there.
Another way of analysing teams is by checking out their head coach. So here’s our guide to the best coaches in the NFL right now.
- Andy Reid Kansas City Chiefs, (age 64)
Season: 10th with Chiefs
24th season as Head Coach
Career: 233-135-1 (.633)
Playoffs: 19-16
Super Bowl wins: 1
3× Sporting News Coach of the Year (2000, 2002, 2018)
Yes, Patrick Mahomes is his quarterback and he makes any team better no matter who the head coach is, but Andy Reid has made the playoffs eight times, won six division titles, two AFC Championships, and a Super Bowl since taking over the Chiefs in 2013.
With Reid at the helm, the Chiefs have 11 wins in seven of his last nine seasons, and are regular favourites to win the Super Bowl. With over 20 years as a head coach under his belt, he has the experience and maturity to lead his team to even greater things this season. Expect the Chiefs to challenge again this season with a rejuvenated Mahomes leading the way.
- Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams (age 36)
Season: 6th with Rams
6th season as Head Coach
Career: 62–29 (.681)
Playoffs: 7-3
Super Bowl Wins: 1
McVay became the youngest ever NFL head coach in 2017, then led his team to a Super Bowl in 2018, becoming the youngest ever Super Bowl coach. He finally delivered on his talent in 2022, when the Rams won Super Bowl LVI against the Bengals, making him the youngest ever winning coach.
McVay has now made the playoffs four times, won three division titles, two conference championships, and a Super Bowl. Still only 36, McVay has game wining experience and the vitality and ideas of youth behind him.
Blessed with General Manager Les Snead who maintains an impressive player roster for McVay to choose from, including QB Matthew Stafford, the Rams coach has proven himself capable of handling the pressure. On his current career trajectory, don’t be surprised to see him add more breaking more records and going for back-to-back titles.
- Bill Belichick, New England Patriots (age 70)
Season: 23rd with Patriots
28th season as Head Coach
Career: 290-143 (.670)
Playoffs: 31-13
Super Bowl wins: 6
The most successful head coach in the history of the NFL, Belichick boasts the joint most Super Bowl victories as a head coach, most Super Bowl appearances and most playoff wins. He is also the NFL’s longest-tenured active head coach and holds the record for playoff wins with 31.
Named the AP NFL Coach of the Year for the 2003, 2007, and 2010 seasons, the Patriots head coach has also been named to the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
With the improving Mac Jones as QB and Belichick’s legendary defensive acumen and organization skills, the Patriots will be looking to improve on three years without a playoff win. Don’t rule them out when they’re coached by a man with Belichick’s record, but the vitality and fresh ideas of newer, younger coaches make it hard to see them in the Super Bowl.
- Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers (age 50)
Season: 16th with Steelers
16th season as Head Coach
Career record: 154-85-2 (.643)
Playoffs: 8-9
Super Bowl wins: 1
Of course Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin makes the list, and for any doubters out there, here’s the stat you need to remember. He’s never had a losing season in his 15-season career – the longest streak in NFL history.
Tomlin has also led the Steelers to ten playoff runs, seven division titles, three AFC Championship Games, and two Super Bowl appearances, including a title in Super Bowl XLIII. Aged 36, he became the (then) youngest ever head coach to win a Super Bowl.
Recent form hasn’t been great and Pittsburgh are still undergoing rebuilding after QB Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement. But Tomlin consistently creates a winning team and he has the experience to turn their fortunes around, although a Super bowl run is out of reach this season.
Honourable mentions must also go to Head Coaches John Harbaugh, Kyle Shanahan, Sean McDermott, and Green Bay Packers Matt LaFleur, who after only three seasons, has an incredible regular-season record of 39-10 (.796).