10. Gary Kubiak, Texans

( Troy Taormina, US PRESSWIRE / October 9, 2011 )

On one hand, I feel a little bad for Kubiak, because if Houston hadn't lost Matt Schaub and Mario Williams to season-ending injuries, they would probably be the favorites to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. You can make a decent case Kubiak deserves praise just for getting Houston to the playoffs with a third and fourth-string quarterback. On the other hand, don't feel too bad for him. Wade Phillips' essentially saved Kubiak's job this year, inexplicably turning the league's worst defense into the best (at least statistically). Kubiak spent years with the franchise stuck in neutral, in part because the focus of his team frequently wavered, and while I admire his offensive expertise, I don't think I'd wager on a coach making his playoff debut to advance beyond the first round.