It's that time of the year again to count your blessings,
and NFL teams should be doing it, too.
1. NEW ORLEANS
SAINTS (9-1)
Thankful for: Drew Brees and
Sean Payton are better than ever in Year 13 together. Brees has been doing some
amazing things for a long time, but nothing compares to the insane season he is
having at age 39 (25 TD passes, one interception and a 76.9 completion
percentage). Meanwhile, Payton is still coming up with creative new wrinkles on
a weekly basis for an offense that is averaging 48 points per game over the
past three weeks.
2. LOS ANGELES
RAMS (10-1)
Thankful for: Owner Stan Kroenke. Not only did
Kroenke commit to building the team's new stadium in Inglewood, set to open in
2020, but he committed to big pay days for several players, including defending
NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald,
with a six-year, $135 million extension, and defending NFL Offensive Player of
the Year Todd Gurley,
with a four-year extension worth up to $60 million. Kroenke's willingness to
cut checks ensures that the Rams will have the opportunity to be a dominant
team for seasons to come.
3. KANSAS CITY
CHIEFS (9-2)
Thankful for: A home-grown quarterback. For most
of their first 58 seasons, the Chiefs went almost exclusively with another
team's discard at the game's most important position. They finally committed to
making it work with one of their own and they were rewarded with Patrick
Mahomes. Even though he's in his first season as the starter,
Mahomes looks like he's going to be one of the best for many years to come.
4. PITTSBURGH
STEELERS (7-2-1)
Thankful for: Le'Veon Bell. So what if the
Steelers got sick of answering Bell questions? His absence has galvanized the
team on the way to a 7-2-1 record. Heck, they shouldn't have cleaned out his
locker. They should have left his stuff there as a reminder that this wild
season is working. The Steelers might miss Bell late in the year, but clearly
they wanted to show they can win without him.
5. NEW ENGLAND
PATRIOTS (7-3)
Thankful for: Bill Belichick and Tom Brady for
a 19th straight season. Around this time in 2017, some questioned how much
longer the duo would be together because of tension, with speculation swirling
that perhaps 2018 wasn't even a guarantee. But that would be like breaking up
turkey and stuffing -- it just wouldn't seem right.
6. CHICAGO BEARS (7-3)
Thankful for: Hiring head coach Matt Nagy. Bears
fans grew completely detached from the team when John Fox was in charge. Nagy
is the complete opposite of Fox. He's young, energetic, engaging and
offensive-minded; exactly what the Bears needed to escape the doldrums of the
NFC North. The Bears won 14 total games from 2015-17. Nagy already has the
Bears at seven wins with six games left to go in his first season at the helm.
7. LOS ANGELES
CHARGERS (7-3)
Thankful for: Anthony Lynn. The no-nonsense head
coach for the Chargers started his tenure 0-4 in 2017, but since then the
Chargers are 16-6. This season, Lynn has the Chargers at 7-3 and on the verge
of making the playoffs for the first time since 2013. Lynn has dealt with the
relocation of his franchise to Los Angeles, playing in a temporary home where
opposing fans take over the stadium and the organization cycling through six
kickers. Through all that, Lynn has been a steadying influence, holding players
accountable for their performance on the field.
8. HOUSTON
TEXANS (7-3)
Thankful for: Colts coach Frank Reich going for
it on fourth down in overtime in Week 4. Instead of what would have likely been
a tie game had Indianapolis just punted, the Texans' defense made a big stop to
get the ball back in Colts territory and the Texans won on a field goal as time
expired. That win was the first of seven in a row and had the teams tied,
Houston would only have a one-game lead over Indy in the AFC South with one
matchup left this season.
9. MINNESOTA
VIKINGS (5-4-1)
Thankful for: The receiving duo of Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs.
Minnesota's offense runs through Thielen and Diggs, who act as interchangeable
chess pieces in John DeFilippo's system and allow Kirk Cousinsto
orchestrate a consistent passing attack. Thielen became the first Vikings
player with consecutive 1,000 yard receiving seasons since Randy Moss, and by
the end of the 2018 season the Vikings could boast two 1,000-yard receivers
(Diggs has 713). It would be the first time the franchise has achieved such a
feat since Moss and Cris Carter each surpassed 1,000 yards receiving in 2000
10. CAROLINA
PANTHERS (6-4)
Thankful for: Home games. The Panthers have been
dreadful on the road, going 1-4 with their only win a miraculous comeback from
a 17-0 fourth-quarter deficit against the Philadelphia
Eagles. They are 5-0 at home, a big reason they are in playoff
contention. They have won 10 straight at home. With three of their final six
games at Bank of America Stadium, if they can remain perfect at home and steal
a win or two on the road they should be playoff-bound
11. SEATTLE
SEAHAWKS (5-5)
Thankful for: New offensive line coach Mike
Solari. The shoddy offensive line play that eventually got Tom Cable fired is
no longer an issue for the Seahawks. That group is better across the board
under Solari even if the sack numbers don't show it. The Seahawks are averaging
a league-best 154 rushing yards per game and, in a testament to the job Solari
has done instilling a new blocking scheme, Seattle rushed for 273 in a recent
loss to the Rams despite missing top tailback Chris Carson and
starting right guard D.J. Fluker.
12. GREEN BAY
PACKERS (4-5-1)
Thankful for: That their brutal road stretch is
almost over. They came out of their bye week with four out of five on the road.
They have only one left -- at Minnesota on Sunday night. They haven't won on
the road this season, losing all five. The past three have been particularly
gut-wrenching: at the Rams, where Aaron Rodgers never
got the chance for a game-winning drive because of a fumbled kickoff; at the
Patriots, where they were tied 17-17 and going down to score when Aaron Jones fumbled;
and at Seattle last Thursday night
13. BALTIMORE
RAVENS (5-5)
Thankful for: Controlling their playoff fate.
Before Sunday, the Ravens had not won a game in 31 days, dropping three
straight and watching their season spiral out of control. After beating
Cincinnati, Baltimore owns the No. 6 and final playoff spot in the AFC. The stakes
are high for the Ravens. If Baltimore doesn't end a three-year postseason
drought, this could be the final season for coach John Harbaugh.
14. WASHINGTON
REDSKINS (6-4)
Thankful for: That no one else signed Adrian
Peterson before Aug. 20. That enabled the Redskins to grab him
once injuries piled up at running back, starting with expected starter Derrius Guice.
Many wondered what Peterson had left; now you have to wonder where the Redskins
would be without him. Peterson has rushed for 723 yards and six touchdowns. He
has given the Redskins enough offense for them to have a one-game lead in the
NFC East after 10 games. He has helped not just on the field, but with his
attitude and demeanor in meeting rooms and in the locker room.
15. INDIANAPOLIS
COLTS (5-5)
Thankful for: Josh McDaniels' change of heart.
He verbally agreed to be the team's head coach before leaving owner Jim Irsay
and GM Chris Ballard at the altar when it was time to sign his contract. McDaniels'
decision to remain in New England is the best thing to happen to the Colts
outside of Andrew Luck's
return and their solid offensive line play -- it allowed Indianapolis to get a coach,
in Frank Reich, who has formed the perfect pairing with Luck. The Colts may not
make the playoffs this season, but this franchise is finally headed in the
right direction again, and Reich has played a significant factor in that.
16. DALLAS
COWBOYS (5-5)
Thankful for: The presence of Amari Cooper.
He has been a Cowboy for only three games, but he has changed how the offense
operates. He gives Dak Prescott a
receiver who can win on the outside with his route running, creating separation
for easier throws. He gives Ezekiel
Elliott more room to run, as evidenced by his back-to-back
100-yard games. As defenses begin to adjust to him the more he plays, it will
be incumbent on the coaches to find creative ways to get him the ball. Next
April, the Cowboys might be wishing they had that first-round pick they gave up
to the Oakland
Raiders to get him, but right now Cooper is helping them make a
playoff push
17. TENNESSEE
TITANS (5-5)
Thankful for: Having four of their final six
games at Nissan Stadium. After beating the Patriots at home, Tennessee has a
10-3 record at Nissan Stadium dating back to last season. In Week 10, the
offense took a step back and struggled like it did during the team's three-game
skid earlier this season. They are clearly a better team at home but have to
find a way to win on the road, starting with their clash with the Texans on
Monday Night Football next week.
18. PHILADELPHIA
EAGLES (4-6)
Thankful for: A Super Bowl in the bank. There's
no such thing as a grace period in Philly -- the city is piping hot following a
48-7 shellacking in New Orleans that dropped the Eagles to 4-6 -- but fans can
break-glass-in-case-of-emergency to coddle their shiny new Lombardi Trophy.
Upper management can find perspective there, too, which is good news for a
coaching staff that might otherwise be in trouble given the maddening
breakdowns in the operation
19. CINCINNATI
BENGALS (5-5)
Thankful for: A.J. Green.
The Bengals realized how much they missed him when they didn't have him to go
to on a crucial fourth-down play against the Ravens last week. But after
missing two games, things look on track for Green to potentially make a return
this week. If Green can come back against the Browns, things certainly look
brighter for the Bengals than they did a week ago.
20. ATLANTA
FALCONS (4-6)
Thankful for: Matt Ryan's
health. The 33-year-old, one-time MVP hasn't missed a game since the 2009
season -- his second year in the league -- when turf toe sidelined him for two
contests. Ryan has averaged 965 offensive snaps per season in his career.
21. MIAMI
DOLPHINS (5-5)
Thankful for: A below-average AFC East. The
Dolphins are stuck in mediocrity once again, but they are still in the thick of
the playoff race thanks to having two division opponents -- Jets and Bills --
to get fat on. The Dolphins have swept the Jets already and they can pick up
another pair of wins against the Bills in December if they play decent ball
down the stretch. Despite mounting injuries and Brock
Osweiler at QB, Miami still has a chance to make the playoffs.
They should be thankful for playing the AFC East bottom dwellers Jets and Bills
(a combined 6-14 record) twice a year.
22. DENVER
BRONCOS(4-6)
Thankful for: Their rookie class. The Broncos'
Class of '18 could serve as a benchmark moving forward and one of the most
productive players in it -- running back Phillip
Lindsay -- wasn't even drafted. But Lindsay, Bradley Chubb, Courtland
Sutton, Royce Freeman and Josey Jewellhave
all started games this season. After the 2017 draft class had limited impact,
the Broncos needed more from this year's incoming rookies and they have
certainly delivered. Lindsay is in the running for the Offensive Rookie of the
Year award while Chubb is already on the short list to be considered for the
Defensive Rookie of the Year.
23. JACKSONVILLE
JAGUARS (3-7)
Thankful for: Owner Shad Khan's failed bid to
purchase Wembley Stadium. That has -- for the moment, anyway -- dulled the talk
of the franchise relocating to London. That means there won't be continuous
rumors and "sources" speculating that the Jaguars would be headed
overseas at any moment throughout the offseason. Now the franchise can
concentrate on finding a quarterback and revamping an offense that went out of
style in the 1970s.
24. DETROIT LIONS (4-6)
Thankful for: Kerryon
Johnson and Kenny
Golladay. Johnson might miss Thursday's Thanksgiving game with a
knee injury, but he has been the explosive player Detroit has been looking for
in the backfield since Barry Sanders retired. Meanwhile, Golladay is becoming
the team's top receiver with the size/speed/strength threat Detroit last had
with Calvin Johnson (although at this point there's no comparing the two).
Between Johnson and Golladay, the Lions have two young skill position players
who could be the centerpieces of the offense over the next half-decade or more.
25. CLEVELAND
BROWNS (3-6-1)
Thankful for: A fervently loyal and devoted fan
base. The Browns have not had a winning season since 2007. They've lost at
least 10 games in nine of the past 10 seasons. Yet through change and nonsense
and a "Perfect Season Parade" (to mark last season's 0-16 record) and
the news that a former national security advisor may interview to be the team's
coach, the fans keep showing interest and showing up. They're like the clown
toy with the weighted base: Every time they're hit, they bounce right back for
more. --
26. NEW YORK
GIANTS (3-7)
Thankful for: Saquon
Barkley. Every time the rookie running back touches the ball it
seems he makes at least one defender miss and has a chance to "take it to
the crib," as his buddy Odell Beckham
Jr. likes to say. Barkley is must-see TV and his 361 yards after
first contact is fourth in the NFL.
27. TAMPA BAY
BUCCANEERS (3-7)
Thankful for: Talented pass-catchers. Despite
being 3-7 with a revolving door at quarterback and a defense that is
approaching "historically bad," the Bucs have arguably the best group
of receiving targets in the league with Mike Evans, DeSean
Jackson, Chris Godwin, O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate.
When the offense doesn't turn it over, they're a pretty tough group to stop.
28. BUFFALO BILLS (3-7)
Thankful for: A projected $83 million in
salary-cap space in 2019. When GM Brandon Beane was hired after the 2017 draft,
he told ownership it would take about two seasons to clean up the team's
salary-cap situation. That goal -- along with unforeseen events such as Eric
Wood's retirement and self-inflicted wounds such as an August trade for Corey Coleman --
has led to Buffalo having a league-high $58 million in dead money against their
salary cap this season. The Bills can use their 2019 spending power, second
only to the Jets at $89 million, to improve their offensive line and skill
positions.
29. NEW YORK JETS (3-7)
Thankful for: A young quarterback with promise
-- Sam Darnold.
For the first time in five years (since the Mark Sanchez era), the Jets won't
go into the offseason desperate to find a starter in free agency or the draft.
That is a tremendous relief. They believe they have their guy in Darnold. Now
the trick is developing him and surrounding him with better pieces.
30. SAN FRANCISCO
49ERS (2-8)
Thankful for: Blossoming young offensive talent.
The Niners have had their share of disappointments among defenders failing to
take the next step forward this year, but they are building a solid foundation
on offense. George Kittlelooks
like a top tight end in the league, Matt Breida is
the next hidden Shanahan-coached running back gem and RT Mike
McGlinchey is already one of the game's best run blocking
tackles. Even undrafted QB Nick Mullens is
showing signs of developing into a solid backup. The 49ers would like more from
receivers such as Dante Pettis,
but if nothing else is to be gained from this season, there are some talented
youngsters who should be even more prepared to contribute in 2019 when
quarterback Jimmy
Garoppolo steps back on the field.
31. OAKLAND
RAIDERS (2-8)
Thankful for: A second victory in 10 wild,
injury-filled, star-crossed games. While the Raiders' 23-21 victory over the
Cardinals on Sunday improved Oakland's record to 2-8, it also decreased the
Raiders' chances at "winning" the No. 1 overall draft pick. And that
would go a long way in helping the team's reconstruction project. With a loss,
the Raiders would have had a 73 percent chance of landing the top pick, per
ESPN's Football Power Index. By beating Arizona, those chances dropped to 22
percent. Still, victory is the ultimate deodorant and things were rank in
Oakland. Until the Raiders made a Thanksgiving turkey out of the Cardinals.
32. ARIZONA
CARDINALS (2-8)
Thankful for: David Johnson.
There'll be a lot of coal in the Cardinals' stocking this holiday season after
a 2-8 start, but their one bright spot -- like star on top of the tree bright
-- is their star running back, especially during the past few games under the
direction of interim offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich. Johnson has been
progressively better in each of the three games since Leftwich took over. On
Sunday, he had 137 rushing yards. That came a week after he had 183 yards from
scrimmage. Johnson is playing as close to his 2016 All-Pro level as he has all
season, and that's thanks largely to Leftwich. -- Josh Weinfuss
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