The NFL averages about seven head coaching changes a year, so considering there were 10 new coaches this season, the 2006 postseason figured to be pretty quiet.
Maybe not.
The days and weeks ahead figure to have more drama than expected. Nick Saban of the Dolphins can't escape a hard charge from the University of Alabama. Bill Cowher of the Steelers will decide his future this week. What once looked like a year where there would be as few as two or three changes has turned into a year where there could be a lot of action.
Here is a quick scan of the NFL coaches on the hot seat.
Dennis Green, Arizona Cardinals: He figures to be the first to lose his job. Despite the promise and excitement created by rookie quarterback Matt Leinart, the Cardinals finished with the same 5-11 record as a year ago and are 16-32 the past three seasons. An announcement about his firing could come as early as Monday morning. Green's downfall was his offensive line. During his first two training camps, he bounced out starters L.J. Shelton, Pete Kendall and Anthony Clement and didn't have quality replacements. After a few adjustments, the line came together during the final weeks of the season, but it was too late for him to keep his job.
Tom Coughlin, New York Giants: Coughlin acted like a coach on the hot seat last week by firing his offensive coordinator, John Hufnagel, and replacing him with Kevin Gilbride. That may be the move that saves his job, but the Giants probably need to win a playoff game for Coughlin to get to the fourth year of his contract. Coughlin still has ownership support in high places, so he has a chance to stay. John Mara will stand by him. Plus, his regular-season record is 25-23 in three seasons. What blindsided him was the rapid decline of quarterback Eli Manning. Gilbride made Manning more effective by calling running plays against the Redskins for Tiki Barber, who carried the Giants to the playoffs.
Jim Mora, Atlanta Falcons: Weeks ago, owner Arthur Blank said an 8-8 season wasn't good enough. The Falcons went from 8-8 last season to 7-9 this season and couldn't beat a bunch of Eagles backups Sunday in what was probably Mora's last game as Falcons head coach. Blank will wait a couple days before making an announcement, but general manager Rich McKay is reportedly compiling a list of replacements. Mora is a bright, young and a players coach, but he didn't help his cause by going on a Seattle radio show and saying he would leave the Falcons in a playoff race if the University of Washington job opens.
Art Shell, Oakland Raiders: All anyone knows for sure is Shell will meet with Al Davis sometime this week to discuss next season. Shell and the Raiders deny reports Shell is going to be fired. The Raiders finished 2-14 and scored only 12 offensive touchdowns. Shell inherited a bad offense. He changed offensive coordinators, but the offense didn't get any better going from Tom Walsh to John Shoop. Davis rehired Shell and admitted he made a mistake when he fired him in 1994. It may be hard for Davis to look Shell in the eye again and take away Shell's chances of turning around the franchise.
Bill Cowher, Pittsburgh Steelers: The 15-year institution didn't tell his players or the organization what his plans were after Sunday's season-ending victory over the Bengals, but most people in Pittsburgh figure he's going to step down. Cowher has a job for life with the Steelers, but he apparently wants a break. He built a $3 million home in North Carolina and figures to move there to recharge his batteries. Russ Grimm and Ken Whisenhunt are the leading candidates from Cowher's staff to replace him.
Bill Parcells, Dallas Cowboys: Owner Jerry Jones won't fire him, but Parcells may not want to come back to this mess. Terrell Owens is a constant pain. The defense is falling apart. Weeks ago, when everything was all hugs and happiness along the sidelines, Parcells seemed to be a lock to come back as long as Owens was cut. Now, you have to wonder. Parcells even had to use some four-man line concepts Sunday against the Lions to kick-start the pass rush. Parcells is always year-to-year, but the team may need to show something in the playoffs to convince him to come back.
Nick Saban, Miami Dolphins: Saban didn't seek out Alabama. It is coming to him. So this is an interesting juncture in Saban's Dolphins coaching career, and he may have to think about the Crimson Tide offer, which is expected to be one of the best in college football. Saban has a lot of age on his defense and he really doesn't know what he has at quarterback. The Dolphins went from 9-7 to 6-10, but they had easy schedules both years. Saban has said on five different occasions he would coach the Dolphins next season. His credibility is on the line if he leaves.
Jack Del Rio, Jacksonville Jaguars: There doesn't figure to be a change here after Del Rio had a 12-4 playoff season in 2005 and signed a contract extension. But his seat is getting a little hotter, which might put him on the 2007 hot seat. Drafting wide receivers and a tight end haven't made the passing attack better. The Jags went through three quarterbacks this season and must decide which one can take them back to the playoffs -- Byron Leftwich, David Garrard, Quinn Gray or someone outside the organization. Don't expect Del Rio to be fired.
John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.