3 NFL coaches on the hot seat ahead of Week 4, and 2 getting warmer

In last week’s edition of the Wednesday Worry List Mike McDaniel was firmly atop the list of coaches on the hot seat. The Miami Dolphins’ Week 1 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, followed by a home loss to the New England Patriots, had many convinced that Miami would make a change if the Dolphins lost to the Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football.

That is exactly what happened and yet … McDaniel actually moves down a few spots on this list.

That’s how bad things are going for two other coaches.

Coaches firmly on the hot seat

Brian Callahan, Tennessee Titans

After dropping down last week, Brian Callahan is back with a vengance, and tops the list of coaches on the hot seat ahead of Week 4.

Yes, the Tennessee Titans are starting a rookie quarterback in Cam Ward. But after losing to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2, the Titans were blown out by the Colts in Week 3.

Now, Callahan is turning over play-calling duties to QB coach Bo Hardegree.

When you’re making decisions like that as a head coach, you are feeling the heat.

Brian Daboll, New York Giants

The New York Giants dropped to 0-3 on the young season with Sunday night’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

And now, Brian Daboll is playing one of the last cards he has in his hand.

On Tuesday, Daboll announced that Jaxson Dart will get his first NFL start in Week 4, as the Giants welcome the undefeated Los Angeles Chargers to MetLife Stadium. This comes ahead of a Week 5 game against the New Orleans Saints, one of the few games that looks winnable for the Giants on paper given their difficult schedule.

Russell Wilson’s dreadful performance Sunday against the Chiefs may have forced Daboll’s hand, but he’s running out of cards to play.

And perhaps time.

Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins looked better against the Buffalo Bills in Week 3 than they did in previous weeks, and were it not for a brutal interception thrown by Tua Tagovailoa late in that game, we might be having a different converation.

However, Week 4 could be pivotal for McDaniel. The Dolphins host the 0-3 New York Jets — in one of the two games on Monday Night Football this week, so you’ve got that to look forward to — and a loss to the Jets in that game could be problematic for the Miami head coach.

Other coaches to watch

In the fashion of the “Other Teams Receiving Votes” category you see in college football polls, here are two coaches to watch in the weeks ahead

Raheem Morris, Atlanta Falcons

Yikes.

When Week 4 began the Atlanta Falcons were 1-1, were coming off an impressive win over the Minnesota Vikings, and looked to improve to 2-1 as they played a winless Carolina Panthers team.

Instead, by the time the game ended Michael Penix Jr. was benched — sitting on the sidelines still wearing his helmet — Kirk Cousins was in the game, and the Falcons were on the wrong end of a 30-0 trouncing.

Bad games happen in the NFL, so one loss does not doom Raheem Morris. But this is a situation worth monitoring now.

Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals

Zac Taylor has been on a bit of a roller coaster in these rankings over two weeks.

After a close win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 1, Taylor debuted in this category. A Week 2 win (and the injury to Joe Burrow) dropped him down into the next category, giving the difficulties of life in the NFL without your starting QB.

But when you suffer the worst loss in franchise history — as Taylor did when the Bengals were trounced 48-10 by the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday — your seat gets hotter.

Even with the backup quarterback being pressed into action.

The fact that the Bengals are still 2-1 works in his favor, as does the injury to Burrow. But more losses like this and the pressure will mount.

Coaches that can breathe easier right now

Here are two coaches that were in the “coaches to watch” category last week, but can probably feel a little better about where things stand heading into Week 4.

Dave Canales, Carolina Panthers

With 9:23 remaining in the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals last week, the Carolina Panthers trailed 27-3.

And Dave Canales looked like he was in trouble.

Since then, the Panthers have scored 49 unanswered points over two games. A valiant comeback attempt against the Cardinals fell just short, as Carolina scored the next 19 points in that game to lose by a final score of 27-22. Then the Panthers turned around and throttled the Atlanta Falcons 30-0, in a game that certainly caught some attention around the league.

And dropped Canales down these rankings.

Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns

Like Canales, Stefanski was listed in the previous category after Week 2. A loss to the Baltimore Ravens dropped the Cleveland Browns to 0-2 — and Stefanski to 3-16 dating back to last season — and a date with the Green Bay Packers loomed.

But a dramatic upset over Green Bay pulled the Browns to 1-2 on the season, tied with the Ravens and just a game behind the 2-1 Cincinnati Bengals (who as we just discussed have their own problems) and the 2-1 Pittsburgh Steelers.

We’re not saying the Browns are suddenly a playoff contender, but Stefanski can breathe a bit easier.

Note: After an impressive start to the season, Shane Steichen has officially dropped off these rankings.