Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
From the Eagles to the Patriots and everyone in between, a reason for each fan ase to be thankful
Every fan in the NFL has something to be thankful for, no matter how bleak things might look. Whether you pull for the Chiefs each week and they bring you joy, or subject yourself to the Bears or Panthers — there’s always a silver lining to every possible cloud.
In the spirit of the season we’ve imagined what every fanbase in the league should be thankful for in 2023. Feel free to use these at the table, or just keep them to yourself for a rainy day.
Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray
He’s back! Your team is still very bad, but Kyler is back!
Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson
Sure his head coach might thing the best use for him is to impact plays without the football in his hands, but when he’s allowed to be part of the offense, it is clear he is pretty special.
Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson is still great, and that extension was worth every penny.
Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen’s right arm
When it works, it works:
Carolina Panthers: The Carolina Hurricanes are pretty good
At least there’s one watchable pro team in the state.
Chicago Bears: The light at the end of the tunnel
Sure, this didn’t go as planned — but at least you have Carolina’s pick, and they’re even worse than you!
Cincinnati Bengals: Modern medicine
Joe Burrow should bounce back by next year and be fine.
Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett
Forget Defensive Player of the Year. Have we reached “Myles Garrett MVP” territory?
We might have.
Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott
Do not look now, but Dak Prescott is playing incredible football right now. Sure, that might change if they face the San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs, but right now Prescott is dealing.
Denver Broncos: Courtland Sutton
The only offensive player who seems ready to show up every week. Sutton is a gem.
Detroit Lions: Dan Campbell
This team has taken on the persona of their head coach, and it is working. The Detroit Lions are 8-2 for the first time since 1962, and will likely be the favorite in six of their seven remaining games. A trip to Dallas to take on the Cowboys in Week 16 looms large, but the Lions are definitely back.
Green Bay Packers: Jayden Reed
The Green Bay Packers might have found something in the rookie wide receiver out of Michigan State. They found a few different ways to get him the ball Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, and he responded with 3 rushes for 46 yards and a touchdown, as well as 4 receptions for another 46 yards. The more they get him involved, the more there is to like.
Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud
It certainly looks like the Texans have their franchise quarterback.
Indianapolis Colts: Shane Steichen
Losing Anthony Richardson for the year sucks, but be thankful at least you have the right coach in place who is managing to keep this team competitive.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence
It’s been a long, long time since y’all had “the guy” at quarterback. This is the season Lawrence has cemented that he’s the guy.
Kansas City Chiefs: Taylor Swift
Y’all just win all the time anyway. Taylor gives you a nice subplot for the season, and who knows … maybe Travis has found his forever love?
Las Vegas Raiders: Antonio Pierce
After a brutal stretch with Josh McDaniels, interim head coach Antonio Pierce feels like a breath of fresh air. Will he secure the job going forward? Perhaps, perhaps not. But it seems like a new day in Las Vegas.
Los Angeles Chargers: Kellen Moore
At least your next head coach is already in the building.
Los Angeles Rams: Puka Nacua
A savior not just to fantasy football teams everywhere, but to the early-season hopes of the Rams when Cooper Kupp was sidelined. With Kupp dealing with an ankle injury suffered in Sunday’s win over the Seattle Seahawks, Nacua may play an even-bigger role down the stretch.
Miami Dolphins: Tyreek Hill
He is in the Offensive Player of the Year conversation, if not the MVP discussion. That speaks volumes.
Minnesota Vikings: Josh Dobbs
Just when the season seemed lost, along came The Passtronaut. Sure, Josh Dobbs came back to earth a bit in Minnesota’s loss Sunday night to the Broncos, but this is a special story.
New England Patriots: Brian O’Halloran
Brian O’Halloran is the new general manager of the Boston Red Sox.
So, yeah.
New Orleans Saints: The NFC South
New York Giants: Tommy Devito
Nobody knows what the future holds, but nobody is more perfect for the Giants than this New Jersey native. That’s fun.
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
New York Jets: Aaron Rodgers’ confidence
Nobody knows how he’s going to return from a torn achilles after three months, but he thinks there’s way. At least you won’t need to deal with Zach Wilson anymore.
Philadelphia Eagles: The Tennessee Titans
Be thankful they were dumb enough to trade you A.J. Brown, who is already over 1,000 yards on the season. What a steal.
Pittsburgh Steelers: T.J. Watt
T.J. Watt is so good he makes you forget that Kenny Pickett is your quarterback.
San Francisco 49ers: Brandon Aiyuk
Aiyuk gets lost in the shuffle a lot, but damn if he’s not one of the best WRs in the NFL that nobody talks about.
Seattle Seahawks: Devon Witherspoon
Congrats on getting one of the best rookies in the NFL — and easily the best secondary player from the 2023 NFL Draft.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dave Canales
Canales is going to be someone’s next head coach. Hope and pray that he’s yours.
Tennessee Titans: Nashville
It is a fun, fun town. So at least there is that.
Washington Commanders: Eric Bieniemy
The only thing that has made the Commanders watchable this season. Enjoy him while you’ve got him.
