Can Harbaugh, Eberflus take their teams from worst to first and win COY?

Taking a team from the bottom of a division to the playoffs is a surefire way to earn NFL Coach of the Year consideration. The last two winners - Kevin Stefanski with the Browns in 2023 and Brian Daboll with the Giants in 2022 - did just that.

That's why Bears coach Matt Eberflus and Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh find themselves atop the Coach of the Year oddsboard. Eberflus is the favorite at +850, and Harbaugh is the second favorite at +1100.

Eberflus is entering his third season roaming Chicago's sidelines. The former defensive coordinator, whose job security was in question last season, is an inadequate 10-24 overall. But the team's failures aren't all his fault. Don Shula couldn't coach Chicago's previous personnel to the playoffs.

The Bears improved from three wins in 2022 to seven in 2023. Now, oddsmakers and pundits expect another huge leap. Chicago has a 52% chance of making the playoffs and is +300 to win a tough NFC North behind the Packers (+225) and Lions (+135).

That has nothing to do with Eberflus and everything to do with 2024 No. 1 pick Caleb Williams, who's projected to be one of the most gifted quarterbacks in years. If he's as good as advertised, he should immediately lift the Bears to, at the very least, relevance.

Williams' presence isn't the only reason expectations are elevated in Chicago. The Bears traded for wide receiver Keenan Allen and drafted wideout Rome Odunze ninth overall. They also signed running back D'Andre Swift.

Although Williams is a rookie - he's +140 to win Offensive Rookie of the Year - and deserves time, there's no excuse for the Bears to rank toward the bottom of the league in total offense like they have the past few seasons.

Eberflus is in a unique position. If Chicago makes the postseason - an unwritten requirement for a coach to qualify - voters could reward him with Coach of the Year honors, whether deserved or not. But Eberflus is on the hot seat and will surely be gone if the Bears trend in the wrong direction and Williams struggles.

Harbaugh could also bring his team from last place in the division to the playoffs. The Chargers are plus money with a 46% implied probability of making the postseason. In his first NFL season since 2014-15, Harbaugh has one of the league's best quarterbacks at his disposal.

Los Angeles has been one of the NFL's best offenses when Justin Herbert is under center. The problem is its defense has consistently been one of the worst, resulting in only one playoff appearance throughout Herbert's four years. Harbaugh is here to fix that.

The former 49ers head coach returned to the NFL after bolting Michigan following a national championship and cheating allegations that'll likely result in future penalties for the Wolverines.

Whatever you think about Harbaugh's quotable, unique, and dynamic personality, he wins everywhere he goes.

Harbaugh took over a broken Stanford program in 2007 and turned it into a 12-win team by the time he left in 2010. From there, he transitioned to the NFL and amassed a 44-19 record in San Francisco, including a Super Bowl appearance. His success at Michigan over the last nine years is well-documented.

Few football coaches garner interest from numerous NFL teams like Harbaugh did. He likely chose the Chargers due to Herbert's skill set and the importance of having a proven quarterback.

But Los Angeles lost some key offensive personnel, including Allen and Austin Ekeler. Replacing their production won't be easy for Harbaugh and Herbert.

Harbaugh should earn the Coach of the Year crown if the Chargers make the playoffs following a five-win season (Herbert got injured and missed the final four weeks). However, Los Angeles shares a division with the almighty Chiefs, who have won the AFC West for eight consecutive years. Kansas City is -250 to win the division, while the Chargers are +350.

Here's a look at the Coach of the Year oddsboard:

Coach of the Year is a crapshoot. Whether it's Eberflus or Harbaugh with quarterbacks who can revitalize stumbling organizations or another coach who surpasses expectations, expect a jumbled leaderboard throughout the season.

Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.