Since I started writing about sports all the way back in 2013, I’ve been running this yearly feature. Since Thanksgiving is a time for reflection, I’ve taken the liberty to provide one thing that each NFL team and/or its fan base should be looking at as a blessing.
WHAT EACH NFL TEAM SHOULD BE THANKFUL FOR THIS THANKSGIVING
Arizona Cardinals – Cardinals fans, y’all absolutely HAVE to thankful that Kyler Murray chose football over baseball. I mean, this Murray-Kliff Kingsbury experiment is working a lot better than many thought it would. This Cardinals team is tough, competitive and it certainly looks like there’s a bright future for Murray in the NFL.
Atlanta Falcons – I know the Falcons are 2-0 in their last two against the Panthers and Saints, but this is still a team that figures to be on the outside looking in come January. BUT, at least you guys have really cheap concession prices down in Atlanta. That’s something no one in town should take for granted.
Baltimore Ravens – Has to be the frontrunner for MVP, Lamar Jackson. This kid is special – we knew he was an excellent runner, but seeing him continue develop as a passer is eye-opening to what a rare talent this guy is going to be in the coming years.
Buffalo Bills – Yo, Bills Mafia definitely needs to be thankful that health care is something that exists.
Nothing inspires self-appreciation like observing Bills’ fans in Nashville. pic.twitter.com/wGJcwau8BH
— Sam Wright (@S_ClayWright) October 7, 2019
Chicago Bears – Whew, given how last season ended and how this season’s going, it’s hard to find a lot to be thankful for for Bears fans. So, you know what? I’m going to say be thankful for the Super Bowl Shuffle. If you’re feeling down on yourself, just turn that shit on and enjoy it a little bit. Maybe watch some old Mike Ditka film, or Kicking & Screaming, as a suitable substitute.
Cincinnati Bengals – Bengals fans, be thankful for the deep quarterback class that’s coming up in this year’s NFL Draft. You’re the first team eliminated from the playoff race, and figure to get the top pick in the draft. You need a quarterback, and this is the year to be in that position…sooo…congrats, I guess?
Cleveland Browns – Just, ffs, be thankful Myles Garrett didn’t kill a guy on the field.
Myles Garrett doing the unthinkable and unimaginable. pic.twitter.com/Y0UXzrCskn
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 15, 2019
Dallas Cowboys – I’ve been bangin’ the drum for Dak Prescott all along. You guys have yourselves a franchise quarterback, a guy who is perennially underrated, and is probably in my top 5-7 MVP candidates. Pay the man.
Denver Broncos – Not a whole hell of a lot for Broncos fans to be joyous about this season, but the team seems to have found a bona fide play-maker in Courtland Sutton. That’s something worth being thankful for. Just..y’know…ignore the fact that John Elway has no idea what to do at the quarterback position…
Detroit Lions – It’s still going to be Matt Patricia‘s glorious beard. It’s probably always going to be Matt Patricia’s beard for as long as he is the head coach in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers – Packers fans, y’all have been spoiled with Aaron Rodgers for years, but how about a little love for Aaron Jones, who is emerging as the perfect back for Matt Lafleur‘s offense?
Houston Texans – Just be thankful you guys have a man like John McClain covering the NFL in town. He is a national treasure.
Indianapolis Colts – Colts fans should absolutely be thankful for Jacoby Brissett and there’s really no other option. How do you face the news that you’re losing a guy like Andrew Luck right before the season starts? That’s gotta be tough – but Brissett has come in and played well enough to have the Colts in the current #3 slot in the AFC. Crazy, crazy stuff.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Jags fans, be thankful for Gardner Minshew ’cause he’s about the only damn thing that’s made your team relevant at all this season.
Kansas City Chiefs – I’ve always thought Andy Reid has been a little underrated, so Chiefs fans, don’t take him for granted. He knows exactly how to use his personnel and is one of the most creative offensive play-callers in the league. That offense would still be good given all the talent on it, but his system is the difference. Plus, think of all the fun Kool-Aid man jokes we’ve been able to make.
Los Angeles Chargers – Be thankful for whoever the hell fired Ken Whisenhunt. Ken Whisenhunt is the absolute worst (written by a Titans fan).
Los Angeles Rams – Who would have thought the Rams offense and Jared Goff would be one of the big question marks surrounding this team? That makes it all the more important that Jalen Ramsey has arrived via trade and solidified this already star-studded defense. The NFC West is incredibly competitive, but these Rams are in contention for a wild card in the NFC.
Miami Dolphins – Be thankful for the approximately one million first round draft picks you guys have next spring. That’s what a rebuild is all about, baby!
Minnesota Vikings – Dalvin Cook is already a thousand-rusher in 2019, and we’ve seen just what a healthy Cook means for this Vikings offense. Gotta give Kirk Cousins props for having a hell of a season, but Cook is the catalyst that makes the whole thing go.
New England Patriots – You gotta be thankful for that defense and Bill Belichick’s charming smile.
Belichick can’t hide the smile!! pic.twitter.com/3aVdaKWVuD
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) October 22, 2019
New Orleans Saints – You don’t usually lose a hall of fame quarterback to injury and see virtually no dip off. But, when Drew Brees missed significant time this season, Teddy Bridgewater stepped up in a major way. Major props to a guy who figures to find himself a starting role somewhere in the NFL at some point.
New York Giants – Danny Dimes, baby! Let’s give Daniel Jones some credit for proving a lot of the haters wrong this season. I mean, the Giants still stink, but the future looks a lot less bleak than it did back in the spring.
New York Jets – I’m dead serious. Sam Darnold. Do y’all not see how this marriage between Adam Gase and him can work? Or, is everybody still on the ‘fire Adam Gase’ train?
Oakland Raiders – Man, this is a tough one, Raiders fans. Just be thankful for this season – it’s the Raiders’ last in Oakland and they actually look competitive in the AFC. Savor the moment before they head out to Las Vegas.
Philadelphia Eagles – A lot of injuries on that Eagles roster, but they’re not out of the race yet. They just so happen to have a guy at quarterback who is capable of playing at an MVP level and putting a team on his back to make a run. Carson Wentz could get this team rolling, so Eagles fans should be thankful to have a guy like that.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Be thankful for Maurkice Pouncey. That boy don’t play. Pouncey is legit ride or die for his teammates.
San Francisco 49ers – John Lynch, that wheelin’ dealin’ sonofagun. He has made some excellent moves in free agency. He’s hit in the draft. He gave the headset to Kyle Shanahan. It’s all paying off big time, 49ers, so raise a glass to your GM.
Seattle Seahawks – It has to be Russell Wilson, right?! I mean, this guy is special – one of the best quarterbacks in the game, a bona fide MVP candidate, and a guy who can make magic out of seemingly nothing. This is a generational quarterback. Hell, we should all appreciate that – not just Seahawks fans.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – People lose sight of just how good Mike Evans is at the receiver position. He’s second in the NFL with 993 and certainly looks like he’s going to join Randy Moss as the only receivers in NFL history to have 1,000+ yards in each of their first six seasons. This guy is an absolute game-changer who has been consistently elite. I can’t imagine the damage he’d be doing with an upgrade at quarterback.
Tennessee Titans – It’s possible that Ryan Tannehill just may save the Titans season. Sure, it sucks to see such a well-liked guy as Marcus Mariota benched. But, Tannehill brings a command to the quarterback position that Mariota didn’t. Plus, look at that Chiefs game. This is clearly a different offense with Tannehill at the helm. It’s an offense that can compete in the AFC South. So, Titans fans, let’s please be thankful that Jon Robinson and company didn’t elect to ride out 2019 with Blaine Gabbert as the back-up.
Washington Redskins – Every year, there’s a “just be thankful it’s almost over” team. That team is Washington this year. I feel so bad for you guys. You have to put up with Dan Snyder knowing things aren’t going to get any better as long as he’s in charge. But, again, your suffering is almost over….at least for 2019…
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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