With less than a month left of the regular season thoughts to turn the end of the season awards and even though a lot can change in three weeks here’s a look at the coaches who have improved their teams in 2022.<\/p>\n
In Campbell\u2019s first year<\/a> in Detroit, the Lions won just three games. In 2022, they already have seven wins. Replacing Anthony Lynn as offensive coordinator with Ben Johnson,<\/a> who worked under Campbell in Miami, has resurrected Jared Goff\u2019s career. The Lions have the fifth-highest scoring offense and the fourth-highest average yards per game in 2022. So Campbell’s plan<\/a> to tread water long enough to bury opponents is definitely working.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Campbell and GM Brad Holmes look to have already fixed the mess Matt Patricia left behind. Campbell signed a six-year contract in 2021 with expectations of a long and gradual rebuild, but they\u2019re challenging for a playoff spot after just 23 months. If they continue their recent form (six wins in seven games) they could play Minnesota in the postseason. They defeated the Vikings in Week 14.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When Seattle packed Russell Wilson off to Denver and Russ proclaimed \u201clet\u2019s ride\u201d<\/a>, most believed Seattle would consolidate and rebuild. Pete Carroll had other ideas though, the Seahawks used the draft to bolster the offensive line, unearth a gem of a running back, and improve the defense. <\/span><\/p>\n Seattle is starting five rookies<\/a> this season. Carroll also gambled and put his faith in a 35-year-old quarterback who hadn\u2019t started a Week 1 game since 2014 and Geno Smith has repaid him. Smith’s completion rate is the highest of his nine-year career (and highest in the league this season) and his best single-season QBR.<\/span> Carroll put Smith’s success down to his agreeing to wear a wristband<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Last season, the Seahawks lost 10 games and finished bottom of the NFC West. In 2022, they\u2019ve surprised even the people who thought the NFC West would be trash. If Kenneth Walker III can return to form soon, they could still make the playoffs and could meet the 49ers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Eberflus was the Colts defensive coordinator<\/a> for three years before the Chicago Bears hired him. While Indianapolis has suffered without him (they’ve missed 64 tackles, sixth most in the league), the Bears Defense is also struggling as they’ve missed 63 (trading Roquan Smith and Robert Quinn didn\u2019t help). The Bears have a history of trading away defensive superstars who ask for new contracts<\/a>. With seven picks in the 2023 Draft, they should have a stronger defense next year; the Colts drafted Shaq Leonard in the 2<\/span>nd<\/span> round.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It might seem odd to suggest a team with just three wins have a good coach but Eberflus has provided something the last three coaches haven\u2019t: a high-scoring offense. In their last seven games, they have averaged 25 points per game, if they maintain that sort of production next season, they\u2019ll be in the top 10. <\/span><\/p>\n Chicago leads the league in rushing yards and is fifth in terms of the number of touchdowns scored on the ground. In 2021, they were 23<\/span>rd<\/span> for rushing yards and only scored the 11<\/span>th-<\/span>most rushing touchdowns, so the improvement under Eberflus has been drastic.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n All four teams in the AFC East are currently in the playoff picture<\/a> but the Jets are the real surprise of the season. 12 months ago, they had just three wins. In 2022, they won seven of their first 11 games. Despite losing Mekhi Beckton and Alijah Vera-Tucker, they could still make the playoffs. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Unsurprisingly, given Saleh\u2019s background as 49ers defensive coordinator, this year\u2019s success is built on defense. The Jets have the fifth-best run defense, allowing 4.1 yards per carry, and the fourth-best pass defense, having given up 2462 yards on the ground (second best in the RedZone, conceding just 12 rushing touchdowns).<\/span> In 2021, their run defense was 29th (32nd in the RedZone) and the pass defense was ranked 30th.<\/span><\/p>\n If Breece Hall hadn\u2019t torn his knee ligaments after just seven weeks of the season and both starting tackles hadn’t landed on IR, the Jets would be pushing the Bills for first place in the AFC East.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Similar to Eberflus in Chicago, the Dolphins have found a head coach who believes in their young quarterback<\/a>. McDaniel<\/a> brought his talents to South Beach and his ability to scheme receivers open <\/span>has allowed Tua Tagovailoa to settle in. McDaniel\u2019s predecessor, Brian Flores, reportedly told Tagovailoa, \u201cif I knew you were going to be this bad, I would\u2019ve taken Mac Jones\u201d<\/a> in a move that only piled pressure on a 23-year-old quarterback. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Last year, Miami won nine games. This season, they just need to beat the Packers<\/a> to match that number. The 2021 Dolphins were ranked 17<\/span>th<\/span> in the league for passing yards. This season, they have the second-best passing offense. Last season, the offense was 22<\/span>nd<\/span> in terms of scoring, McDaniel has improved that to ninth this year.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The 2021 Giants<\/a> won just four games under Joe Judge; Daboll\u2019s Giants won seven of their first nine in 2022. He has been able to use Saquon Barkley more than Judge but Daniel Jones\u2019\u00a0development<\/a> (assisted by the superstar back) has significantly improved results. Jones has the best completion rate of his career and his lowest interception percentage under Daboll. Jones also has the most rushing touchdowns of his career in 2022 but the fewest fumbles too.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n New York currently sits in a wildcard spot and if they get enough receivers healthy (three are on IR and three more on week 15’s injury report) to help Jones, they could be interesting in the postseason.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe know our goals are higher.\u201d<\/p>\n – Eagles HC Nick Sirianni on clinching a playoff berth with 48-22 win over the Giants. pic.twitter.com\/rCMpD5YcEV<\/a><\/p>\n — Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) December 11, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nPete Carroll<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
Matt Eberflus<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
Robert Saleh<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
Mike McDaniel<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
Brian Daboll<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
Nick Sirianni<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
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