Colin Cowherd, a sports analyst at FOX Sports, recently shared his rankings of the top 10 head coach and quarterback duos for the 2024 NFL season. According to Cowherd, the AFC seems to have the edge over the NFC in terms of coaching and quarterback play, especially with the addition of Jim Harbaugh as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Here is a breakdown of Cowherd’s rankings:
10. Detroit Lions HC Dan Campbell and QB Jared Goff
Cowherd acknowledges the emotional leadership style of Dan Campbell but praises Jared Goff for his impressive passing skills. The Lions have shown improvement over the past few seasons.
9. Miami Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel and QB Tua Tagovaioloa
Mike McDaniel’s clever coaching style is compared to Kyle Shanahan, and Tua Tagovailoa’s accuracy is highlighted. However, Cowherd questions Tua’s ability to perform in cold-weather games against top quarterbacks.
8. Dallas Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy and QB Dak Prescott
The Cowboys have consistently won 12 games in the past three seasons under McCarthy’s coaching. Both McCarthy and Prescott are considered solid but are expected to deliver more in playoff games.
7. Green Bay Packers HC Matt LaFleur and QB Jordan Love
Cowherd praises LaFleur’s coaching strategies and the improvement shown by Jordan Love in the latter part of the season. He believes LaFleur has established himself as one of the top coaches in the league.
6. Cincinnati Bengals HC Zac Taylor and QB Joe Burrow
The Bengals have seen success with Joe Burrow as quarterback, reaching the AFC Championship Game in healthy seasons. However, the departure of offensive coordinator Brian Callahan raises questions about the team’s future.
5. Buffalo Bills HC Sean McDermott and QB Josh Allen
Josh Allen’s exceptional physical abilities are highlighted, but concerns remain about McDermott’s defensive coaching in big playoff games. Despite this, the Bills have secured four straight division titles.
4. Los Angeles Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh and QB Justin Herbert
Cowherd sees great potential in the duo of Harbaugh and Herbert, with Herbert being recognized as a remarkable talent. Harbaugh’s coaching skills are praised, positioning them as a strong fourth in the rankings.
3. Baltimore Ravens HC John Harbaugh and QB Lamar Jackson
The consistent success of the Ravens under Harbaugh’s coaching and Lamar Jackson’s unique playing style have earned them the third spot in Cowherd’s rankings. Winning 75% of their games in the competitive AFC North is no small feat.
2. Los Angeles Rams HC Sean McVay and QB Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford’s overlooked talent and Sean McVay’s strategic coaching abilities place them in the second spot. Stafford’s arm talent and McVay’s coaching intelligence make them a formidable duo.
1. Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid and QB Patrick Mahomes
At the top of Cowherd’s rankings are Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs. With the highest winning percentage of any quarterback-coach combo in the Super Bowl era, Reid’s play designing and Mahomes’ exceptional skills make them a dominant duo in the league.
Overall, the rankings reflect the strengths and potentials of the top head coach and quarterback combinations in the NFL for the upcoming 2024 season. Each duo brings a unique set of skills and strategies to the field, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.