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5 Dark Horse Candidates For 2014 NFL Coach of the Year

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5 Dark Horse Candidates For 2014 NFL Coach of the Year

Pete Carroll
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With the regular season over, discussion about the award for best head coach in the NFL is beginning to heat up. Bruce Arians of the Arizona Cardinals or Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys are probably the favorites in most voters' minds, but here are five dark horse candidates for the 2014 NFL Coach of the Year award.

5. Pete Carroll

Pete Carroll
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

5. Pete Carroll

Pete Carroll
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Sure his team seemed to take a step back early in the year, but many experts in the NFL will tell you that playing on or coaching a defending championship team is tougher than most realize. You get every team's best every week, as they all want to measure themselves against the best from last year. The Seahawks have bounced back and are the No. 1 seed in the NFC. They are arguably the best team in the NFL right now.

4. Ron RIvera

Ron RIvera
Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

4. Ron RIvera

Ron RIvera
Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

Many people believe his team has no business being in the playoffs with their losing regular season record, but Ron Rivera was able to navigate the Carolina Panthers through a tough season of less than stellar play from Cam Newton and a step back for his defense to win the division. His team just beat the Arizona Cardinals, led by coach of the year favorite Bruce Arians. Carolina is on a winning streak and will be a tough out against Seattle.

3. Mike Tomlin

Mike Tomlin
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

3. Mike Tomlin

Mike Tomlin
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Steelers started the season as a very average team with an aging defense. They went on a great run to end the season and steal the division from the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens. 2014 saw a revival for Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, as well as a potential MVP run for RB Le'Veon Bell. A late-season injury of Bell might have cost the Steelers a chance to get far in the playoffs, but Tomlin still deserves credit for a great year.

2. Jim Caldwell

Jim Caldwell
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

2. Jim Caldwell

Jim Caldwell
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Caldwell inherited a disorganized and dysfunctional Detroit Lions team in the 2014. Coming off of a disastrous 2013 campaign that saw them miss the playoffs, as well as earn the reputation as a dirty team, Caldwell has begun a transformation process to bring credibility back to the organization. It resulted in a more disciplined team, an 11-5 record and a playoff berth.

1. John Harbaugh

John Harbaugh
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

1. John Harbaugh

John Harbaugh
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

John Harbaugh and his Baltimore Ravens didn't get much publicity during the season for being elite; instead, everyone focused on the Ray Rice fiasco. Harbaugh coached around the distractions and got his team to the playoffs. Every year they are there at the end and are competing in the postseason. The Ravens beat the division winner Steelers handily last Sunday and are headed to New England where they have owned the Patriots in the playoffs.

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