Niner Noise
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Which NFL Head Coaches Are on the Hot Seat Down the Stretch?

By Peter Panacy

Nov 13, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly looks on during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly looks on during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 30, 2016; London, United Kingdom; Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis reacts against the Washington Redskins during game 17 of the NFL International Series at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; London, United Kingdom; Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis reacts against the Washington Redskins during game 17 of the NFL International Series at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals

Like Chicago Bears head coach John Fox, Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis’ seat must be boiling.

Lewis’ tenure in Cincinnati dates all the way back to 2003, which is more than impressive in today’s NFL. But all things must come to an end, and the Bengals’ 2016 season is more than an indication this might happen.

Prior to this year, the Bengals merely had the reputation of being the league’s biggest postseason underachievers. Just look at how Cincinnati fell apart in the AFC Wild Card to the Pittsburgh Steelers last year.

In fact, the Bengals are 0-7 in all of their Wild Card games under Lewis.

This roster was supposed to be nearly as good as it was in 2015, despite some notable departures. And yet Cincinnati’s 3-6 record suggests anything but.

Why He Stays

The Bengals roster is still stacked, and working with quarterback Andy Dalton isn’t the worst thing Lewis could ask for. Those seven playoff appearances — including five in a row over the last five years — are still impressive. Even the best NFL teams would take that.

2016 could simply be an off year.

Why He Goes

It might be time to turn the page. Whether they be self-inflicted playoff wounds or an inability to rise to the occasion in the postseason, Lewis’ Bengals remain one of the bigger disappointments in recent NFL history when January rolls around.

Talent-wise, Cincinnati should have been capable of at least reaching an AFC Championship game at least once in the past few years.

It hasn’t happened. And it doesn’t look like it will in 2016 either.