Week 14 NFL coaching grades: Eagles, Lions, Chargers, Chiefs get high scores; Bucs, Raiders fail
Week 14 featured the Philadelphia Eagles (12-1) becoming the first team this season to clinch a playoff berth, the San Francisco 49ers extending their NFL-best six-game winning streak (although it was a costly win), Tom Brady returning to the Bay Area and suffering one of the worst losses of his career and the Miami Dolphins ending a disappointing trip to California.
There were seven one-score games in Week 14. After 14 weeks, 16 teams are above .500.
How much of an influence did coaches have on the outcomes in Week 14? USA TODAY Sports examined the performances of NFL coaches. Here are their grades for Week 14:
Philadelphia Eagles coaching staff: A
Nick Sirianni and the Eagles’ coaching staff deserve a lot of credit for Jalen Hurts’ MVP-caliber season.
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Hurts compiled 294 yards (217 passing and 77 rushing) and three touchdowns (one rushing and two passing), resulting in a 109.2 passer rating in the 48-22 blowout win versus the New York Giants.
This design quarterback run resulted in a 10-yard touchdown for Hurts. Hurts was barely touched as he knifed through the hole on the way to pay dirt.
the 23-17 loss to the Chargers. Tagovailoa’s 35.7 completion percentage against the Chargers was the worst by a Dolphins quarterback since David Woodley (31.0) in Week 15 of 1980, per NFL Research.
Lions rookie receiver Jameson Williams’ first career NFL catch resulted in a 41-yard touchdown. Detroit’s play-action pass froze Vikings safety Camryn Bynum and Williams ran right by him for the long touchdown reception.
Penei Sewell to haul in a first-down catch.
The Lions have scored at least 30 points in four of their past five games.
Baltimore Ravens coaching staff: C
Lamar Jackson was out due to a knee injury and backup quarterback Tyler Huntley was concussed in the second half on Sunday, which forced third-string QB Anthony Brown into action. With Brown under center, the Ravens offense was pretty much one dimensional, but running backs J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards and Baltimore’s O-line were up for the challenge. Brown only attempted five passes as the Ravens dialed up the run for most of the second half
On third-and-3 late in the fourth quarter, Edwards rushed for six yards between the tackles for a first down. The first down run allowed Baltimore to ice the game.
On the play, the Ravens motioned wide receiver Devin Duvernay and faked a toss to him, before Brown handed the football off to Edwards on a read option. The nifty play design had Pittsburgh’s defense a little off-kilter, which paved the way for Edwards’s six-yard gain.
the 16-14 victory.
Las Vegas Raiders coaching staff: D-
The Raiders defense inexplicably played man coverage down the stretch and gave up two big passing plays en route to a Rams’ eight-play, 98-yard touchdown drive.
Receiver Ben Skowronek had a huge 32-yard catch on single-man coverage.
A few plays later, wide receiver Van Jefferson caught the game-winning 23-yard touchdown on single-man coverage.
The Raiders should’ve played zone in that late-game situation and helped their cornerbacks over the top.
Las Vegas’ defense gave up 144 yards and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to a Rams offense led by quarterback Baker Mayfield, who was signed two days before the game. To make matters worse, late-game collapse snapped the Raiders’ three-game winning streak and likely ended their slim playoff hopes.
The Raiders (5-8) are the fourth team in NFL history to lose four games in a season after leading by 13 or more points, per ESPN Stats and Info.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers coaching staff: F
The Bucs got manhandled 35-7 by the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Despite losing Deebo Samuel early in the game, San Francisco had its way offensively against a helpless Bucs defense. Running back Christian McCaffrey rushed for 119 yards and a TD. He also had 34 receiving yards and a TD catch in the win.
Tampa Bay’s 28-point defeat was the third-largest loss of Tom Brady’s career. Brady was outplayed by rookie QB Brock Purdy. Purdy’s 27-yard touchdown strike to McCaffrey while facing inside pressure was perhaps the throw of the game.
Chiefs’ win against the Denver Broncos wasn’t pretty, but Kansas City improved to 10-3 this season. In the win, Andy Reid became the third head coach in NFL history to record at least 10 regular-season wins in eight consecutive seasons, per NFL Research. Reid and his staff deserve an “A” for the achievement.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on Twitter @TheTylerDragon.