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NFL Hot Seat: 5 Coaches who must win in Week 14

By Tyler Brooke

Dec 4, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera during the fourth quarter in a game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks won 40-7. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera during the fourth quarter in a game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks won 40-7. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 4, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis looks on from the sidelines in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 32-14. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis looks on from the sidelines in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 32-14. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

player. 56. . . Cincinnati Bengals. Marvin Lewis. 3

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis has one job this week: don’t lose to the Cleveland Browns. If he doesn’t reach that goal, then he can kiss his job goodbye.

Lewis is the second-longest tenured coach in the NFL behind Bill Belichick, coaching the Bengals since the start of the 2003 season. During his time in Cincinnati, Lewis has gone 115-99-3. However, perhaps more importantly, he has yet to win a single playoff game, going 0-7 in the postseason.

A 4-7-1 record to start this season means that the Bengals’ playoff hopes are quickly starting to fade away. They’ll have a very good chance to grab their fifth win this week against a winless Cleveland Browns team. Still, the Browns have at least been able to compete against some teams this year, and this might be their last legitimate chance to avoid an 0-16 season.

Lewis has been able to keep his job for long enough, and if the Bengals are serious about winning a Super Bowl one day, then they’re going to have to part ways with their long-time head coach after this season is over. They’re probably not going to lose to Cleveland, but even if it’s close, it’ll be a sign that it’s time for Lewis to go.

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