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Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt speaks with an official during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Sitting with identical 4-7 records, odds are the winner of Sunday's game at the Meadowlands between the New York Jets and the Arizona Cardinals still won't be headed for a late-season playoff run.

The news, however, might be gloomier for the losing team.

Since coming to the Valley in 2007, Ken Whisenhunt has led the Cardinals to four seasons with a .500 record or better, two NFC West Division titles and a Super Bowl Appearance back in February 2009.

However, Arizona is on the verge of missing the postseason for the third consecutive year, and has already found itself on the wrong side of history in 2012 by becoming the first NFL team to start a season 4-0 only to go on a subsequent seven-game losing streak.

For the Jets, the on-field performance has been only part of the problem for Rex Ryan. Ryan took New York to consecutive AFC Championship games during his first two years in the Big Apple, but has since watched his team go a combined 12-15 over the past two seasons.

In addition to his team's recent mediocre record, Ryan has had to deal with several locker room incidents over the past few seasons, including a New York Daily News' article earlier this year which quoted unnamed players bashing backup quarterback Tim Tebow.

Needless to say a loss Sunday inevitably makes the hot seat that much hotter for Whisenhunt or Ryan.

While ESPN NFL insider John Clayton told Arizona Sports 620's Doug & Wolf Thursday that he hopes both will be back in 2013 with their respective teams based on prior merit, he's not so sure wishful thinking will make it so for Sunday's losing coach.

"I know that both coaches could put themselves in a position where they wouldn't be there next season," Clayton said. "I know Rex's position is that he's telling his coaches that basically 'we better pick it up or we aren't going to be here.'"

Although Clayton suggested that New York may lean towards making changes in the management department rather than at the head coach position, the same may not be true in Arizona.

"You look at Ken Whisenhunt and you know how good of a coach he is," said Clayton. "He's a fantastic coach, but somebody might have to take the fall for this season. And if somebody does it'll probably end up being him. Which would be a shame."

listen Listen: John Clayton, NFL Writer and ESPN Reporter
John Clayton joins Doug and Wolf to talk about this week in the NFL. Does John believe Ray Horton will get Head coaching considerations? John does not believe that Alex Smith can bring the 49ers to the Super Bowl. Does this mean Colin Kaepernick can lead the Niners to the "promise land"? And, John tells us why Jason Babin was cut by the Eagles. Plus, is Ben Roethlisberger going to be available this Sunday?

Both Whisenhunt and Ryan would likely garner a ton of interest from teams around the league this offseason if either were to be relieved of their duties, but talk of firings could be put on hold with a much-needed victory in Sunday's non-conference matchup.

"It's a shaky situation," said Clayton. "You don't want to be the coach who loses this game in other words."

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  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    If has anything to offer
    He has to show it in this game. If the offense struggles again in this game, its going to look very bad for him.
  • Abuse
    CardsFan_ wrote...
    Whiz isn't going anywhere
    Although both are in a similar position record-wise, both this year and previous years, the coaches couldn't be more different to the organization. Ryan's mouth has been an embarrassment to the Jets and Ryan has allowed his locker room to get out of control. Meanwhile, Whiz has brought a classy demeanor to the organization and has had no problems with the players despite the long losing streaks. Add that to the injuries and the fact that the Bidwills hate paying coaches to sit at home, Whiz will be the coach in 2013.
  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    @ Cardsfan_
    Whiz misjudged QB and O Line talent. There is a longer list of personnel mistakes that he has made than there is a list of non-mistakes since being here that there is no room for it on this post. The ppl that make personnel decisions need to be replaced. I think Horton should be promoted 2 HC. The Whiz faithful dont agree because he doesnt have the experience and fear he will fail. Thats a risk Id be willing to take. #13 is the only good thing that happened while Whiz was carousaling his QBs. Of course. 13 won a SB. But anybody could have won a SB with 13, 11, 81 and 15...
  • Abuse
    mesa mad man wrote...
    @FitzIsMyHero
    If Whiz's biggest mistake is his ability to scout and sign players, maybe that role needs to be taken away from him. Leave the scouting and signing to the general manager. The only people on this team that I feel deserve to be released based on my outsider view are the offensive coaches (Mike Miller in particular). I have seen nothing out of him that shows he can correctly or innovativley call a football game. He reminds me of Billy Davis - has a lot of pieces but cant get the most out of them.
  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    @ Cardsfan_ 2
    To prove my point, they went to the SB with Haley calling the plays (with that group), not Whiz. OC's have success with good QBs. Haley/Roethlisberger are playing BAL for division on SUN (if Ben plays) in his 1st yr in PIT. So it takes a different Pedigree to see the talent in someone & acquire it. Graves & Whiz r obviously not of that Pedigree & that is who the Cardinals need. Although its on defense, Horton has judged his talent on D successfully in acquiring what little he has acquired via FA and draft in his time here. Maybe he can have that same success acquiring offensive players as HC.
  • Abuse
    mtj8nau wrote...
    @ CardsFan_
    Exactly what does Whiz have to do to get fired? Lose 20 in a row? The guy has had losing streaks of 7, 6, and 7 (currently) in 3 straight seasons. No coach in the history of the league has ever survived that. Don't give me injuries as an excuse because every coach has had to deal with them. Don't give me QB situation because he has picked the QB's. I hear Wolfley defending Wolf like he's Lombardi.The guy had a 2 year run with Warner. He's a mediocre head coach at best. He may be a good guy and can trade old "war" stories with D & W but as far as being head coach...
  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    @ mesa mad man
    I agree with you on taking personnel duties away from Whiz. They need to replace Graves with someone who's been part of a successful "rebuilding" project. The first that comes to mind is Parcells. However, I dont think he would fit in with the Bidwills because he's going to want all-access to personnel decisions. What i$ the first thing the Bidwill$ are worried about not $pending too much of? Unfortunately, Parcells probably knows the Bidwill$ are going to clamp the cap, and, any GM wouldnt want to deal with that kind of ownership because they wont b able to get the job done.
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    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    @ mesa mad man 2
    I dont want Horton to leave. I dont care what they do with Whiz. We need plan B at QB. We need plan B and C at RB. I think they should keep LSH and shop for upgrades/replacements for Wells and Williams. They are both unreliable injury bugs. If given a chance, I can say with confidence, that LSH can contribute in a major way. He stays healthy and we've seen bits and pieces of him over the years bcuz his role was limited. But now that we've seen him more, he's displayed a homerun hit that we havent had before. In someway/shape/form, change is coming, hopefully.
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