The race for the 2022 NFL Coach of the Year Award has twisted and turned throughout the season, but what are the current NFL odds heading into Week 18? Which coaches could lock up the award this week, and who needs a lot to go their way if they were to take home the award?
2022 NFL Coach of the Year Odds
- +150 | Zac Taylor
- +175 | Matt LaFleur
- +350 | Mike Vrabel
- +2000 | Bill Belichick
- +3500 | Nick Sirianni
- +4000 | Sean McVay
Zac Taylor stakes his claim, but Matt LaFleur and Mike Vrabel could snatch it
This is an interesting trio because all three are in contention for somewhat different reasons. For Zac Taylor, it has been a very up-and-down year. His Bengals team raced out to a 3-1 record, then moved to 5-2 before slipping to 5-4 and then 7-6. However, Cincinnati is now on a three-game winning streak that includes wins over the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs. Entering Week 18, the Bengals are 10-6, already 3.5 wins over their projected preseason win total of 6.5.
What makes this NFL season potentially Coach of the Year-worthy for Taylor is the contrast to what we had previously seen in Cincinnati. In 2020, the Bengals were 2-6-1 when Joe Burrow got injured, and their offseason moves were widely questioned. However, the much-maligned Taylor has presided over a team that has gone from bottom-feeder to AFC challenger in just one season. The Bengals still have a chance to grab the No. 1 seed, and if they manage to do that, Taylor could essentially lock up the award.
Mike Vrabel and the Titans have fought through adversity
It has been a roller-coaster campaign for the Titans. They started 2-2 with two embarrassing losses to the Cardinals and Jets. They then went on to win six straight before suffering a mini-slump. Since their Week 13 bye, the Titans have gone 3-1 and sit in possession of the No. 1 seed entering the final week of the season. It has been an impressive coaching performance from Mike Vrabel.
The Titans have dealt with injuries on both sides of the ball, but their offense has been affected the most. They have been without A.J. Brown, Julio Jones, and — arguably most importantly — Derrick Henry for periods of this season. As such, the fact they are only 1.5 games above their projected season total is somewhat insignificant. The fact they have managed their current record despite their injuries is a credit to Vrabel’s coaching.
Matt LaFleur has put together another impressive season as the Packers head coach
The consistency with which the Packers have performed since LaFleur arrived is a sight to behold. Through his first 48 games in charge, LaFleur has a 39-9 record. He went 13-3 in both of his first two seasons and is 13-3 this year entering Week 18. If we focus solely on 2021, LaFleur has impressively dealt with adversity.
Entering the year, the Packers were projected for 10.5 wins. Yet, they have had to deal with controversies surrounding Aaron Rodgers, both before and during the season. The way the team has continued to perform this year is a credit to LaFleur. Having Rodgers has somewhat dinged LaFleur historically because many credit the future Hall of Fame QB for Green Bay’s success. That could come into play again in 2021.
Bill Belichick, Sean McVay, and Nick Sirianni highlight longshot options
Among the trio of Bill Belichick, Sean McVay, and Nick Sirianni, Belichick and Sirianni seem the most likely to take home the NFL Coach of the Year award. Belichick has taken his team from what looked like a rebuild into AFC contention in one season. Doing so with a rookie QB is impressive, and Belichick has rightly received a lot of credit. If the Patriots manage to somehow get the No. 1 seed, Belichick could take home the award. But New England’s struggles to close out the season have taken the shine off a good campaign.
In contrast, Sirianni’s Eagles have finished 2021 strong. Philadelphia has won six of their last seven games to come from seemingly nowhere and clinch an NFC playoff spot with a week to spare. If the Eagles can finish the year with a big victory over the Cowboys in prime time, Sirianni could have an outside shot to take home the award.
Rich Bisaccia deserves a lot of credit
While Raiders interim head coach Rich Bisaccia likely won’t take home the NFL Coach of the Year award in 2022, he deserves recognition. Given everything this team has been through, the fact they enter Week 18 in playoff contention is quite something.
When Jon Gruden re-signed, Las Vegas was 3-2. Bisaccia led them to 5-2 before emotional blows forced them to slump to 6-7 entering Week 15. However, the Raiders have rallied with three straight wins and have a chance to claim a playoff spot with a victory in Week 18. Bisaccia’s leadership and ability to guide Las Vegas through all the highs and lows and still have them in contention is stunning.
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