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Matt Slocum/Associated Press

Sometimes in the NFL, a team's success can be attributed to the savvy of its coaching staff just as much as it can be to the talent on the field.

A good cadre of coaches can find ways to cover the flaws of a mediocre team. A great coaching staff can make a good team great—and sometimes into a champion.

Over the next few pages we will examine and rank the top coaching staffs the National Football League has to offer. While win-loss records will play a role in our rankings, special consideration will be given to longevity, recent and sustained success (don't be surprised if more than a few recent or multiple Super Bowl champions make the cut) and to the ability to overcome adversity.

Teams entering the 2014 season with a rookie head coach will not be eligible since a unit that appears impressive on paper doesn't always live up to expectations.

Instead, we will focus on coaching staffs that have been around for at least a season or two, and who have created higher expectations on their own.