Week 18 NFL losers: Big coaching issues for number of teams

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close it is time to take a look at some of the biggest losers from Week 18 of the season. 

Shane Steichen, HC, Indianapolis Colts. It would be easy to put the blame on running back Tyler Goodson for dropping the decisive fourth-down play on Saturday night. The bigger issue though is what he was even doing on the field for that play and being targeted for a season-deciding play. 

The Colts had run superstar running back Jonathan Taylor on seven consecutive plays, then took him off the field in the biggest moment. Add in Steichen's bizarre usage of a timeout just before that to try and draw Houston offside, eliminating any chance of getting the ball back, and it was a huge series of blunders from a rookie coach at the worst possible time. 

Jacksonville Jaguars. All the Jaguars needed to secure their second straight AFC South title was beat a 5-11 Tennessee Titans that had nothing to play. They could not do it and in the process eliminated themselves from playoff contention. 

As if the loss on Sunday was not bad enough, it completes a terrible conclusion to the season that saw the Jaguars lose five out of six games, including each of the final five starts from quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Going from the No. 1 seed in Week 13 to out of the playoffs is a terrible look for everybody involved, but especially head coach Doug Pederson. 

Nick Sirianni, HC, Philadelphia Eagles. Speaking of teams that are playing their worst football at the wrong time, the Eagles have turned a 10-1 record and what looked to be a lock on the NFC East into an 11-6 season and a wild-card spot. 

The biggest culprit in that slide has been the Eagles' defense, and head coach Nick Sirianni does not seem to have any answers for it. The decision to turn play-calling duties over to Matt Patricia seems to have only made things worse. 

Bailey Zappe, QB, New England Patriots. The good news for the New England Patriots is that with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft they might be in a position to land their next franchise quarterback. They desperately need it because the long-term answer is not on the roster. 

Bailey Zappe ended a brutal season in New England on Sunday by completing just 12-of-30 passes for only 88 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in an ugly 17-3 loss to the New York Jets. Over his last two starts he accounted for no touchdowns and five interceptions. 

D.J. Chark Jr., WR, Carolina Panthers. It was another brutal game for No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young to end a miserable rookie season. The Panthers were shut out in their final two games, and one of the biggest culprits for this one was Chark Jr. for turning a big game and a potential touchdown into a fumble and a turnover at the goal line.