The way Sporting News sees it, New York's football supremacy (ahem, Giants) to New England starts at the top.
The publication recently ranked all 32 NFL coaches recently, (Sean Payton being disqualified and Joe Vitt not counting for much more) and listed Tom Coughlin ahead of Bill Belichick.
Analyst Clifton Brown decided rankings based on various criteria: past accomplishments, current standing, a winner-take-all situation.
Here's the conclusion on New England's bench boss:
"With three Super Bowl rings, no current coach can match his resume. Belichick has been remarkably consistent, with at least 10 wins in each of the past nine seasons. His place as an all-time great coach is secured.
"So why isnt Belichick in the No. 1 slot? Because he has lost three consecutive games to Coughlin, including two Super Bowls. Lifetime, Belichick is 1-5 against Coughlin."
Six games is a small sample size. But on the other hand, there are too many variables for Coughlin's 16-year career and Belichick's 17-year tenure for overall records to be compared side by side.
New England Patriots
Either way, enjoy the list lightly. It certainly won't be the last; this is the offseason.
