Week 3 Coaching Takes: Heating Up/ Cooling Off (9-29-20)

By: James Brown

Headline Photo Credit: Multiple Sources

​Week 3 is officially in the books and we’re back with an update on which coaches are feeling the pressure and which are enjoying some newfound success. Surprise we’ve got a new name on our list as well.

Heating Up

Atlanta Falcons: Dan Quinn – Boiling

​The Falcons are off to a miserable 0-3 start coach Quinn has seen his team blow a 4th quarter lead in back to back games. Against Dallas, Atlanta blew a 15-point lead and watched their last chance to win be snatched away on an onside kick that left everyone questioning just how well coached this team is. This past Sunday against the Chicago Bears the Falcons surrendered a 16-point lead to a Nick Foles led Bears’ offense. It’s not looking good for the Quinn regime. Arthur Blank will only remain patient for so long before admitting it’s time to move on. Despite the fact, the players continually say they love playing for and support Dan Quinn it doesn’t materialize into wins. Things don’t get any easier this week as Atlanta travels to Green Bay to take on a hot undefeated Packers team.

New York Jets: Adam Gase – Boiling

​Another week and another J-E-T-S L-O-S-S. The Jets are reeling at 0-3 and the bottom of the AFC East. On Sunday the Jets were blown out by the Indianapolis Colts and to be honest Adam Gase could honestly be fired at any moment now. The only thing that could be prolonging his departure could be the list of injured players that seems to be adding up. Sam Darnold doesn’t seem as sharp in Gase’s offense and now GM Joe Douglas is probably wondering is it the player, is it coaching, or is both. The Jets should look to end this as quickly as possible. While Gase helped to bring Douglas in at this rate he’ll be the reason Douglas is potentially out of a job. The Jets will kick off this week’s slate of games as they are on the road to face a Denver team who will more than likely be starting backup QB, Jeff Driskel. Perhaps this could be the break Gase and the Jets are looking for.

Detroit Lions: Matt Patricia – Warm

​The Lions got a nice win Sunday over a raging Cardinals team that was off to a hot start. Their defense managed to reign in one of the better young QBs in the league in Kyler Murray forcing him to throw 3 interceptions. While this win won’t save Matt Patricia of all his failures it could be the start of a turn around the Motor City has been waiting for. Patricia will need to add a few more wins under his belt to show the Ford family that they made the right decision in selecting him to coach the Lions. The Lions will face off against the New Orleans Saints this Sunday at Ford Field. Patricia’s seat is still warm, so we’ll have wait see how the Lions perform over the next few weeks

Houston Texans: Bill O’Brien – Warm

​Things are off to a rocky start in Houston this season. The Texans are currently 0-3 and sitting in last place in the division. This team seemed to be heading towards a possible deep playoff push. Then they traded away their second-best offensive weapon in DeAndre Hopkins and left everyone wondering if O’Brien should be in charge of making personnel decisions. The Texans started the season off against the Chiefs and the Ravens and not many had them favored to win. The offense this year seems to be in somewhat of a slow start trying to find their footing without Hopkins to lean on for production. On Sunday the Texans lost to the Steelers and now find themselves fighting for a sniff at the postseason. O’Brien has had on and off success in Houston and with the team locking up Deshaun Watson for the next 4 to 5 seasons, he’ll need to start showing some consistent signs of winning if he wants to be around to extend Deshaun another contract.

Cooling Off

Jacksonville Jaguars: Doug Marrone – Cooling

​Through 3 weeks the Jacksonville Jaguars are 1-2 under Doug Marrone and are far more competitive than many believed they would be. While they have lost 2 straight they pushed current division leader Tennessee in their week 2 match up almost getting the win. Minshew has looked pretty good through the first weeks and DJ Chark could be the next breakout WR on the rise. Rookie RB James Robinson has also been a bright and unexpected find he’s proven why the Jaguars were so confident in their decision to cut Leonard Fournette. Jacksonville will face off against the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday and looking to get the road win over rookie Joe Burrow. Doug Marrone’s job is safe yet but perhaps he can prove to ownership that he is the man to get the job done in Jacksonville.