Breaking Down the Divisional Round: NFL Head Coach Grades You Won’t Want to Miss

With the Divisional Round of the playoffs officially in the books, we got to see some of the league’s best head coaches do what they do best and manage their respective NFL teams to success with a Super Bowl on their minds. However, other coaches did what they could from the sidelines despite watching their teams lose and relegated to a quick exit to the offseason. With four teams remaining entering Championship weekend, these head coaches have a lot of work to accomplish for a chance at a Super Bowl appearance.

Here are the grades for all eight NFL teams’ head coaches after the Divisional Round.

Which NFL head coaches had the best grades after the Divisional Round?

Baltimore Ravens: John Harbaugh: B-

Harbaugh’s Ravens played a very good game against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Round, but failed two-point conversions in the second half of the game stung the Ravens’ chances of winning in their 25-27 loss. Lamar Jackson threw two touchdowns against an interception, Derrick Henry scored a rushing touchdown, and Rashod Bateman and Isaiah Likely both scored touchdowns.

The defense, coached by Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Zach Orr, had a sack but no interceptions against Josh Allen. Harbaugh’s Ravens has a lot of playmakers on both sides of the ball, but the fumbles and failed two-point conversions were the ultimate daggers that prevented the team from advancing. Coach Harbaugh and the Ravens need make their necessary adjustments in the offseason for a better 2025 NFL season.

Buffalo Bills: Sean McDermott: B

McDermott’s Bills played a very close and competitive battle against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Round, winning 27-25 at home. Josh Allen threw no touchdowns or interceptions and scored two rushing touchdowns, Ray Davis scored a rushing touchdown, James Cook had 67 rushing yards, and Khalil Shakir had 67 receiving yards. The defense, coached by McDermott and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich, had two sacks, two game-changing fumble recoveries, and an interception by Taylor Rapp.

McDermott’s Bills played an impressive thriller that kept everyone on their heads and toes throughout the game. As a result, they are moving on to the AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Coach McDermott’s NFL team needs to play very aggressively against the Chiefs if they wish to make it to the Super Bowl.

Detroit Lions: Dan Campbell: C

Campbell’s Lions put on a show against the Washington Commanders but lost 31-45, painfully ending their season. Jared Goff threw a touchdown against three interceptions, Jameson Williams scored a rushing touchdown, Sam LaPorta scored a receiving touchdown, and Jahmyr Gibbs scored two rushing touchdowns.

The defense, coached by defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, had no sacks or interceptions against Jayden Daniels. Coach Campbell blamed himself after the loss, while the Lions’ injury woes and mistakes on offense came back to bite the team to end their historic NFL season. Campbell and company have to get the team healthy for the 2025 season.

Houston Texans: DeMeco Ryans: C

Ryans and the Texans concluded their 2024 season by losing a very tough and controversial 14-23 battle against the one-seeded Kansas City Chiefs. C.J. Stroud threw no touchdowns or interceptions, Joe Mixon scored a rushing touchdown, and Nico Collins had 81 receiving yards.

The defense, coached by Ryans and defensive coordinator Matt Burke, had three sacks but no interceptions. Poor offensive execution in the pass coverage hurt coach Ryans’s Texans, but he’ll have to make some interesting decisions in the 2025 NFL offseason regarding who the team will bring at wide receiver, with Tank Dell likely out for the 2025 season.

Kansas City Chiefs: Andy Reid: B+

Reid became the fourth coach to earn 300 wins, including in the NFL playoffs after the Chiefs defeated the Houston Texans 23-14 in the AFC Divisional Round. Patrick Mahomes threw a touchdown to Travis Kelce, and Kareem Hunt scored a rushing touchdown.

The defense, coached by defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, had eight sacks but no interceptions. No matter how the Chiefs do on the field, Reid will always have the team ready to conquer, no matter what.

Los Angeles Rams: Sean McVay: B

McVay’s Rams played their hearts out in a snow-covered Lincoln Financial Field but were just short in their 22-28 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles. Matthew Stafford threw two touchdowns with no interceptions, Kyren Williams rushed for 105 yards, Puka Nacua had 97 receiving yards, and Colby Parkinson and Tyler Higbee each scored touchdowns.

The defense, coached by defensive coordinator Chris Shula, had seven sacks against Jalen Hurts but no interceptions. McVay said this loss was a tough one to swallow because of the love and appreciation he has for his team. Coach McVay and the Rams have some work to do in the offseason for a strong 2025 NFL regular season.

Philadelphia Eagles: Nick Sirianni: B

Siranni’s Eagles played a competitive game on the ground but have some improvements to make in the passing attack despite winning 28-22. Jalen Hurts threw no touchdowns or interceptions and scored a rushing touchdown, and Saquon Barkley scored two rushing touchdowns.

The defense, coached by defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, had five sacks but no interceptions. Sirianni earned himself some backlash from Eagles fans with his suspect game and clock management despite the victory. However, Sirianni and the Eagles need to drastically improve the passing attack when they square off against the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship game.

Washington Commanders: Dan Quinn: A-

Quinn’s Commanders had an incredible Saturday night, stunning the one-seeded Detroit Lions 45-31 in upset fashion. Jayden Daniels threw two touchdowns with no interceptions, Brian Robinson Jr. scored two rushing touchdowns, and Zach Ertz and Terry McLaurin both scored two touchdowns.

The defense, coached by Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., had two sacks, a fumble recovery, and four interceptions, with one of them returning for a 40-yard pick-six by Quan Martin. Coach Quinn’s Commanders praised Daniels’ performance throughout the game and admired his NFL team for taking advantage of turnovers, which was one of the keys to the team pulling off the upset in the Motor City.