What Each NFL Team Should Be Thankful For This Thanksgiving (2020)

Stoney Keeley's holiday tradition continues as he provides one thing each NFL team can be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

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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 – The Cards committed highway robbery in the offseason, and there’s no one to thank but Bill O’Brien. That DeAndre Hopkins trade is still completely mind-boggling, but Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray certainly aren’t complaining. Raise a glass to the former Texans coach/GM, Arizona.

Atlanta Falcons – Every season, one unfortunate team gets the distinction of “being thankful the season is almost over.” This year, I’m giving that to the Falcons. After all of the close losses, and given how this team has performed against expectations, I think Falcons fans have endured more heartbreak than any other fan base in the NFL this season. Well, fret not – you’ll only have to experience that for six more weeks…

Baltimore Ravens – Hey, it hasn’t been a fun stretch for the Ravens lately. Between Lamar Jackson saying opposing defenses were calling out their plays and then saying the Titans wanted it more, it’s clear the Ravens know there are some major problems facing the team in 2020. But, what’s the first step to correcting So, hey – at least you have that sort of honesty and accountability. Whew – I’m reaching here, I know.

Buffalo Bills – It’s a toss up between Sean McDermott and Brian Daboll, but it’s this coaching staff, period. Daboll figures to be a head coaching candidate sooner rather than later. McDermott is perennially one of the more underrated head coaches in the NFL. They’ve turned Buffalo into one of the best teams in the AFC.

Chicago Bears – I want to say ‘defense,’ but honestly, this Bears team has been so miserable to watch lately that I want to forget the 2020 team even exists. So, I’m going to say Devin Hester. Just put on some electric Devin Hester highlights and enjoy the holiday by NOT thinking about the current team, Bears fans.

Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow is very clearly the answer. He’s the future of the franchise, and the future of the NFL – just lights out all around. Of course, the Bengals haven’t done him any favors by not putting a decent offensive line in front of him, and now he’s out for the year with a torn ACL. But, if you’re talking about 2021 and beyond, the future looks bright for the Bengals offense (assuming they can protect the kid and not get him killed).

Cleveland Browns – I said from the beginning of the season that I thought this year could be the year we thought the Browns would have in 2019. So, what’s the main difference? No more Freddie Kitchens. So, hats off to Kevin Stefanski for coming in and getting it done right off the bat.

Dallas Cowboys – The division has never been more winnable, and where the defense has been vulnerable, a little stability at the quarterback position would have the Cowboys in much better shape. So, be thankful for Dak Prescott and pay the man – at 3-7, you’re seeing firsthand just how valuable he is to the Cowboys.

Denver Broncos – Not a whole lot of promise for the 2020 Denver Broncos. At 4-6 and with a tough schedule down the stretch, it’s going to be tough for them to climb their way back into the AFC playoff race…especially given how prone they’ve been to turning the ball over. But, one bright spot on offense is rookie receiver Jerry Jeudy, who definitely looks like the future of the position in Denver, and a bona fide #1 receiver. He’s currently 8th in the NFL in yards per catch, with an average of 16.2.

Detroit Lions – They were 3-2 in their last five, and just when it looked like they were climbing back into the NFC playoff race, they decided to shit the bed and get shut out by the Panthers. So, I don’t know what Lions fans have to be thankful for – how about Matt Patricia’s beard? It’s wonderful….and it may be the thing he’s best at…it sure doesn’t seem like it’s his coaching…

Green Bay Packers – It has to be Aaron Rodgers, who is a legitimate MVP contender in 2020, and one of the greatest to ever throw the ball for the Packers. How critical were we all of the Packers’ offseason? Their “failure” to help Rodgers out in the twilight of his career? How silly does that seem now? I know that loss to the Colts stings, but this is still a team that could represent the NFC in the Super Bowl…a lot of that is because of the quarterback.

Houston Texans – Texans fans, thank your lucky stars that ownership finally wisened up and stripped Bill O’Brien of his head coach and general manager titles. I mean, as a Titans fan, I was hoping they’d sign the man to a 10-year extension…but that’s neither here nor there. The fact is that the Texans will be in better shape for the 2021 offseason than they would’ve otherwise been. Addition by subtraction, and what have you.

Indianapolis Colts – The defense is damn good, and I’d be tempted to go ‘Matt Eberflus’ here, because I don’t think you’re going to have him around much longer, Colts fans. But, seeing how the upgrade at the quarterback position has turned this team into a legit championship contender, I have to say Philip Rivers. He’s done a fantastic job of spreading the ball around as the Colts have rattled off two huge wins in a row.

Jacksonville Jaguars – I don’t know how many years in a row I’ve gone “pools in the stadium,” but there’s really nothing else for the Jags fan base to be thankful for this year, and I’m saying that during a season when no one can even enjoy the pools in the stadium. Let that sink in for a minute.

Kansas City Chiefs – The obvious answer is Patrick Mahomes, but that’s too easy. I’m going to say Travis Kelce for this one because not only is he the best tight end in all of football, but he seems to genuinely care about the well-being of others…even being so kind as to pass out massages to the head coach…

Las Vegas Raiders – You live in Las Vegas. What else needs to be said?

Los Angeles Chargers – I guess maybe Chargers fans should be thankful for their team doctors that punctured Tyrod Taylor’s lung? I mean, otherwise, we wouldn’t be getting the Justin Herbert highlight reels already. One thing they DON’T have to be thankful for is Herbert’s barber, though.

Los Angeles Rams – The NFC East – that’s right, the Rams have to be grateful that they got to play the NFC East this year. Why? Because they’re 4-0 against NFC East teams. They’re 2-3 against everyone else.

Miami Dolphins – Brian Flores, for sure. Easy. This rebuild in Miami seems way ahead of schedule, and the way Flores has set the tone in that organization has been huge. This Dolphins team is a bona fide playoff contender, and while we expected to see some improvement, I don’t think any of us were expecting playoffs in 2020.

Minnesota Vikings – You could say Dalvin Cook here and I would have no problem with that. Dude belongs in the MVP discussion regardless of what the Vikings record is. But, can we shout out how awesome these uniforms are?

New England Patriots – My answer here is going to be ‘Tom Brady’ – not to twist the knife, Pats fans, but whew – if you weren’t thankful for all this man did for you, you ought to see just how valuable he was to this franchise as plain as day now. Honorable mention to Damien Harris.

New Orleans Saints – Taysom Hill – maybe the guy’s the future. Maybe he’s not. But, you can’t deny the impact he’s had as the Swiss Army Knife for this team. The Saints even needed him at quarterback with Drew Brees injured, and he ran for two scores against the Falcons. Dude offers some explosiveness to that offense, and did his part to make sure the Saints didn’t fall off without Brees.

New York Giants – The Giants may have the biggest football guy of all time in Joe Judge at head coach. You got him and the big brawny offensive line coach coming to blows, and regardless of who won, you gotta give Judge credit for making a stand and going down swinging. Then, he gets up and fires the guy – hell yeah! That’s some really moxie. I mean, sure it was reported that no punches were actually thrown, but I know what I’m choosing to believe…

New York Jets – At least the new unis with the sick metallic green helmets are super badass, but that’s all I can say about this team that’s nice.

Philadelphia Eagles – Ties. Yep – the Eagles should definitely be thankful that ties count in the NFL, because it’s the only thing keeping them on top of the NFC East at the moment.

Pittsburgh Steelers – Ben Roethlisberger deserves a little MVP love of his own. Look at what this Steelers team did in 2019 without him, and look where they are with him back at the helm in 2020. That’s the definition of value, folks, and Steelers fans shouldn’t be taking for granted how well he’s playing this late in his career.

San Francisco 49ers – This team is so riddled with injuries that I don’t know what to even go for here. At least you guys can hang your hats on 2019 – that was a truly special season. Why don’t y’all just put on some 2019 highlights this Thanksgiving and forget about how 80% of your roster is hurt? Also, George Kittle’s hair.

Seattle Seahawks – It’s DK Metcalf and the fact that Russell Wilson has an elite true #1 receiver for the first time in his career. Metcalf is a freak of nature that gives that Seahawks offense a spark it hasn’t seen in quite some time. Not to mention, the man has what may be the greatest highlight of the year:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Bucs fans, you get ‘Tom Brady’ here too, for obvious reasons. Brady has stabilized the quarterback position and turned this team into a Super Bowl contender. This one was as easy a choice as they come.

Tennessee Titans – Not just Derrick Henry, but specifically the Derrick Henry stiff-arm – it’s one of the most entertaining plays in all of football. This team is the definition of hot and cold in 2020, but at least they can say they have one of the best pure runners in the NFL, and when he gets that arm out in front, it produces some electrifying highlight reel material.

Washington Football Team – It’s gotta be Alex Smith and one of the best feel-good stories of the year. The only way this is going to be sweeter for Washington is if he can knock the rust off and whip the ol’ Football Team into decent enough shape to make a real run at the NFC East. Don’t laugh – that’s possible. Honorable mention to Chase Young, too. Dude looks like he’s going to be downright dominant in the NFL.

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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