Thanksgiving offers a moment for NFL teams to reflect on their season with only one-third remaining.
Some teams are thankful for standout players, like Arizona’s Trey McBride or New England’s Drake Maye.
Other franchises find gratitude in coaching changes, promising draft classes, or even future salary cap space.
NFL teams rarely have the opportunity for introspection during the season. Yet Thanksgiving provides a natural window for self-reflection.
Of course, players and coaches for most franchises are busy forging ahead with preparations for Week 13 – which includes a triple-header on the holiday itself, as well as a Black Friday tilt – and beyond. But with only one-third of the season remaining, it makes sense to take stock of what has transpired so far this fall, especially at a time when others are looking back. Gratitude won’t be easily found for every organization, however, with more than a handful in rather unenviable spots as the year winds down.
Here’s what each team has to be thankful for at Thanksgiving this year:
Arizona Cardinals – Trey McBride
With Arizona back to a distant fourth in the NFC West in a year that was supposed to feature a collective leap for the organization, some in the desert might feel like their plates are looking rather empty. But amid questions of whether the team will be running an out route on Kyler Murray and other key figures, it’s worth appreciating McBride, who hasn’t wavered even when the rest of the outfit has. And on Sunday, he became just the third tight end in NFL history to have at least five receptions in 13 consecutive games.
Atlanta Falcons – A pass rush, finally
Sacks have been hard to come by in Atlanta in the near-decade since Vic Beasley led the NFC with 16½. The Falcons went to great lengths to solve the problem, bringing aboard Jalon Walker and trading into the first round again for James Pearce Jr. to double down on the issue. The result has the defense ranking among the league’s best in the category, even though it’s taken an inordinately high blitz rate to get there. Of course, there’s a massive question of whether this maneuvering will be worth it in the end for a franchise that soon could be facing a reset.
Baltimore Ravens – The uninspiring AFC North
A 1-5 start would typically be the death knell for any team’s season. Not so for the Ravens. Baltimore can be plenty thankful for all that went into a massive turnaround, which has included better health and a defense that has swung from decrepit to daunting. But a division without any true force has also helped fuel hopes for a resurgence, with the Ravens now tied for the lead. Baltimore still has to take care of business with all of its matchups remaining against the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers, but a path to hosting a game on wild-card weekend is readily apparent.
Buffalo Bills – That Hallmark Christmas movie
After the debacle of Thursday night’s loss to the Texans, the Bills have an extended stretch to stew on what’s gone wrong in a season that’s likely to end with the franchise releasing its grip on the AFC East. It’s probably time to escape to a fantasy world in ‘Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story.’ Perhaps in this idealized setting, Buffalo might actually have a robust receiver room and competent run defense.
Carolina Panthers – Rico Dowdle
This isn’t the only team that is feeling grateful for a gift from Jerry Jones (more on that later). The Panthers scooped up Dowdle on a mere one-year, $2.75 million contract after the back enjoyed what seemed like a breakout 2024 campaign with the Cowboys. Turns out the running back wasn’t done seizing the spotlight. In stepping in for the injured Chuba Hubbard, Dowdle notched 473 yards from scrimmage over a two-game span and came to power a ground game that has Carolina at least in the mix for its first winning season since 2017.
Chicago Bears – Ben Johnson taking the leap
Over the past three hiring cycles, many teams tried unsuccessfully to coax Johnson into taking their top job. The Bears finally prevailed last January, securing the big prize of the coaching shuffle. While some wondered how the lauded offensive mind would handle taking over an entire operation, the results have been nothing short of superlative. With a group that’s explosive yet steady, the Bears could have a top-five offense in yards per game for the first time since 1977, when Walter Payton was voted MVP. Even if Chicago fades a bit down the stretch, the franchise is once again relevant in the NFC North after it looked as though it was a good deal behind the other three organizations that all boasted steadier leadership.
Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow’s comeback capacity
Even if the quarterback can make his return to action on Thanksgiving, it’s probably too late to save a season that already has slipped away. But maybe Burrow can give Cincinnati a taste of what could have been – and what could be ahead in 2026. Right now, that and the potential for Burrow to score a third career NFL Comeback Player of the Year award are the only things that can keep Bengals fans at the table for another serving.
Cleveland Browns – For once, a promising rookie class
The ill-fated Deshaun Watson trade sapped Cleveland of any hope for the foreseeable future, in part due to the toll it took on the front office’s ability to establish any young core. But even with Cleveland opting to move back in the order when it had a first-round pick for the first time since 2021, the draft class came together in impressive fashion and provided incredible early returns. Linebacker Carson Schwesinger has stormed to the top of the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year pecking order, and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. and running back Quinshon Judkins look like staples at key spots. And even Shedeur Sanders is at least giving people reason to tune in for something other than Myles Garrett’s pursuit of the single-season sack record.
Dallas Cowboys – Brian Schottenheimer outpacing expectations
Jerry Jones’ decision to promote Schottenheimer to his first head-coaching post drew several eye rolls from those thinking the Cowboys owner had botched his search for Mike McCarthy’s replacement. It’s too early to make any long-term judgment calls, but the gig hasn’t proven too big for Schottenheimer, who has Dallas at 5-5-1. Though some winced at the notion of him calling plays for the first time since 2020, he has struck an impressive balance between creativity and sensibility in helping the Cowboys get out to a league-best rate of 387.3 yards per game. And when Dallas was faced with having to play on after the tragedy of Marshawn Kneeland’s death, Schottenheimer seemingly helped set the right tone for the organization.
Denver Broncos – Usurping the Chiefs’ magic
Maybe to beat the nine-time defending AFC West champions, you have to become them – or at least capture a bit of their mojo. No one will confuse the Broncos for the Chiefs of recent years or Bo Nix for Patrick Mahomes, but Denver is 7-2 in one-score games after going 1-6 in those contests in 2024, with several of those wins fueled by Nix’s late-game magic. With reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II coming back to complement a pass rush on a record-setting trajectory, there should be nothing but good vibes in Denver as the team comes off a nicely timed bye.
Detroit Lions – Kelvin Sheppard
One of Detroit’s coordinator transitions hasn’t gone swimmingly, with coach Dan Campbell taking over play-calling duties from John Morton for the rest of the season. But things have gone much more smoothly on defense, where Sheppard, 37, has proven to be a worthy successor to Aaron Glenn. He’s helped the Lions continue to navigate injuries and other setbacks with the ‘Legion of Whom’ secondary and an otherwise impressive unit. But it might not be long before Campbell loses him to a head-coaching job elsewhere, either.
Green Bay Packers – Jerry Jones
Nearly three months after the stunning summer deal sending Micah Parsons to the Packers, the swap that once seemed unimaginable has proven to be every bit as consequential as it seemed it would be. Parsons has 10 sacks in 11 games, putting him alongside Hall of Famer Reggie White as the only players with at least 10 sacks in each of their first five seasons. Yet that doesn’t capture the full scope of his contributions, as he’s been plenty more disruptive on his own and even unlocked new levels for the rest of Jeff Hafley’s ascendant defense. The midseason price tags for Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams – talented defenders who are nevertheless not in Parsons’ elite class – only reaffirmed that Green Bay made off extremely well in his deal, due at least in part to Jones’ impatience forcing some fortuitous timing for the Packers.
Houston Texans – The NFL’s best pass-rushing tandem
For a while, it looked as though Houston’s continued inability to provide any sort of pass protection might define a disappointing season. Instead, it’s been the defensive line’s performance on the other side of the ball that has given rise to hopes for a resurgence. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter have wreaked havoc, to the point that the Texans managed to beat the Bills despite the offense generating just 60 yards in the second half. If the pressure keeps up, Houston could continue to cover for other shortcomings and mount a run to a wild-card berth.
Indianapolis Colts – Patience … and impatience
When late owner Jim Irsay gave a reprieve to coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard in January, some might have seen it as delaying the inevitable. But Steichen and Ballard made the most of the additional chance, instituting a turnaround that has the Colts at 8-3 and atop the AFC South. Indianapolis exhibited the right amount of patience with its leadership while not getting complacent at quarterback, where the team found outstanding early efficiency by pivoting from Anthony Richardson to Daniel Jones, or at defensive coordinator, where Lou Anarumo’s arrival has invigorated an entire unit.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Liam Coen’s change of heart
When the Jaguars set their sights on Coen only to have him initially decide to return to his post as the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator, it was an embarrassing setback for the organization. But the touted offensive mind’s change of heart after the firing of Trent Baalke helped Jacksonville chart a new course. There’s still plenty of work to do to have Trevor Lawrence live up to his monster contract, but between the revitalized run game and coordinator Anthony Campanile getting the defense in order, there’s been impressive progress in Year 1.
Kansas City Chiefs – Rashee Rice
In a game that could have put the Chiefs’ playoff hopes in serious peril, Rice was the one to keep a methodical offense chugging along, recording a season-high 141 receiving yards that included a career-best 103 yards after the catch. With Kansas City having little margin for error due to a receiving corps that still struggles to gain separation and a run game unable to generate any chunk gains, Rice is nothing short of vital to the team’s hopes of pushing back into the AFC postseason field. It might not be pretty, but the receiver’s consistent work in the underneath area is one of the few things the Chiefs can count on at this stage.
Las Vegas Raiders – Hmm … cap space?
You’re forgiven if you can’t find much of a silver lining this season for the Silver and Black. Best to probably concede 2025 as another fully lost season and set sights on next year. The Raiders are currently projected to have more than $108 million in cap space, according to Over The Cap, just short of the Tennessee Titans for tops in the league. While there might not be a ton of figures on the open market who are capable of transforming this franchise’s outlook, Las Vegas should be able to fast-track a needed offensive line overhaul if it chooses to do so.
Los Angeles Chargers – Justin Herbert’s resilience
Losing a standout left tackle is enough to derail plenty of offenses. But when Joe Alt followed Rashawn Slater in being sidelined by injury – first temporarily by an ankle ailment in Week 4, then for the rest of 2025 with another in early November – the Bolts looked as though they might have no path forward offensively. The woeful pass protection has been decidedly tough on Herbert, who has been pressured on a career-high 42.7% of his passes and already tripled last year’s interception total of three. But the quarterback hasn’t backed down despite the onslaught of hits, as he’s helped a Bolts attack lacking in explosiveness stay at least somewhat on schedule with the league’s third-highest third-down conversion rate. And a good bit of that has stemmed from Herbert doing a chunk of the work himself to compensate for a lackluster ground game, as he’s already rushed for a career-high 345 yards and 6.4 yards per carry. A 35-6 loss before the bye forced some difficult self-reflections for the Chargers, but they’re still at 7-4 and on track for a wild-card spot if they can keep things together down the stretch.
Los Angeles Rams – Matthew Stafford’s commitment and health
From early offseason contract negotiations that briefly opened the door for a potential trade to a summer rife with questions about his balky back, Stafford spent much of this calendar year on uncertain ground regarding his future in Los Angeles. Somehow, the 37-year-old has put all that behind him and slung the Rams to the forefront of the NFC playoff picture, all while positioning himself as the front-runner for NFL MVP. Not only is he on track for a career-best 46 touchdowns, but he hasn’t thrown an interception since Week 3 and has just two picks on the year. If he maintains this level of composure, it’ll be difficult to stop the Rams from blazing a trail to Santa Clara.
Miami Dolphins – A second-half surge?
After face-planting out of the gates en route to a 1-6 start, the Dolphins looked on track to rank among the league’s biggest flops. But in winning three of its last four games, Miami has distinguished itself from the tier of the truly hopeless groups. There are still myriad personnel problems, which the franchise seemed to acknowledge with its split from longtime general manager Chris Grier. But even if this season is beyond saving, perhaps Mike McDaniel’s tenure isn’t, with the coach building a case to stick around for at least another year.
Minnesota Vikings – A good setting for sorting through a QB crisis
Reaching a potential crossroads with J.J. McCarthy after just six starts has prompted a lot of unrest in Minnesota. Unlike other organizations in similar spots with young quarterbacks, however, the Vikings can have confidence that the problem doesn’t end with the franchise’s own failures. The offensive line hasn’t done its part to ensure McCarthy a sufficient comfort level, and other parts of the operation have regressed from last year. But coach Kevin O’Connell has taken a steady approach amid the turmoil, and Justin Jefferson hasn’t let his frustrations boil over. Maybe a breaking point will be reached at some point before the 2026 season begins, but Minnesota can be confident it won’t arrive there in haste.
New England Patriots – Drake Maye
No team should have a greater sense of gratitude than the Patriots, whose nine-game win streak has put the franchise on the verge of a historic turnaround. The nod here could easily go to Mike Vrabel, who has been the right figure to usher in a new era after years of stagnation. But Maye’s meteoric rise in his second season might be what has truly pushed New England from good to great. His deep passing has been outstanding, and he’s carried an offense that hasn’t been able to count on any consistency from its ground game.
New Orleans Saints – A true rebuild
For years, New Orleans clung to the last remnants of the Sean Payton era, even when it became clear the team wouldn’t come close to reaching those heights anytime soon. Finally, a reckoning is taking place, though this past offseason amounted to a half measure on that front. Kellen Moore has a massive undertaking in front of him in relaunching an organization that took out the salary-cap equivalent of several payday loans, but at least it’s now possible to envision an eventual upswing.
New York Giants – Jaxson Dart
Brian Daboll’s inability to properly deploy the talented rookie signal-caller seemingly expedited the coach’s exit from Big Blue. But Dart and his impressive playmaking streak should satiate John Mara’s intense desire to identify some kind of future behind center. His presence also could prove to be a substantial draw in the coaching market, and the skill-position outlook for the Giants should be bright once Dart, Cam Skattebo and Malik Nabers are all healthy.
New York Jets – Um … uh … well …
Not gonna lie: Coming up with an answer here was about as big of a strugglefest as the Jets’ 0-7 start. Maybe the answer is freedom from expectations after New York essentially granted its fan base license to check out by trading away Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams. But perhaps it could be the outlook for the 2027 NFL Draft, when Gang Green is set to have three first-round picks for a pool of talent that looks extremely promising.
Philadelphia Eagles – Jaelan Phillips
The talented pass rusher who suffered two season-ending injuries in his last two campaigns called being dealt to the defending champions at the trade deadline the greatest thing that has ever happened to him. And the swap has gone resoundingly well for the Eagles, too. Phillips has just one sack in three contests since arriving in Philadelphia, but he’s invigorated the pass rush and looks worthy of a massive extension. Not easy to find edge rushers capable of shifting the defense’s outlook, but Phillips is looking like a midseason gift, even with a price tag of a third-round pick.
Pittsburgh Steelers – A rapid return for Aaron Rodgers
The 41-year-old has hardly served up reminders of his four-time NFL MVP form while in Pittsburgh, with Rodgers displaying one of the league’s quickest triggers at the expense of any downfield playmaking for the Steelers. Yet when Rodgers missed Sunday’s game against the Bears due to a fractured non-throwing wrist, the taste of the offense under the direction of another quarterback was quite bitter. With the league’s highest-paid defense proving unreliable when it’s not generating takeaways or sacks and backup Mason Rudolph’s limitations boxing the offense in even further, Pittsburgh is having to face the fact that it’s probably more reliant on Rodgers than it hoped to be at this point in the season.
San Francisco 49ers – Mac Jones
Injury setbacks have just become a way of life in San Francisco, which has continued to weather widespread personnel losses in 2025. And while maintaining a high level of offensive execution might seem like a given for Kyle Shanahan and his system, this season has already reinforced how easily a backup quarterback in the wrong situation can torpedo a franchise’s fortunes. Thanks to Jones, San Francisco managed to come out largely unscathed after Brock Purdy missed a total of eight starts. The deep game wasn’t all there and Jones surely benefitted from Shanahan’s touch, but the 49ers might not be in the postseason race without his efficient play. Nice for San Francisco to have him under contract for 2026, too, either as insurance for another year or a trade chip for a team facing uncertainty behind center.
Seattle Seahawks – Sam Darnold
Swapping out Geno Smith for Darnold prompted some skepticism and even scorn from a swath of people who believed that coach Mike Macdonald was going about his offensive reimagining in the wrong manner. But the signal-caller’s fourth stop in as many years has proven incredibly fruitful, with Darnold establishing himself as a fitting triggerman for the league’s most potent downfield passing attack. The Seahawks have embraced his aggressiveness as a feature rather than a bug, even though it’s meant coping with 10 interceptions in 11 games. But with the run game hardly coming together as Macdonald and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak envisioned, Darnold has been essential to the highly successful reboot of this unit.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – A favorable finishing schedule
The four-time defending NFC South champions have stumbled out of the bye with a three-game losing skid that added Baker Mayfield to a heap of injured offensive stars. But things should get considerably easier down the stretch, with no teams with a winning record left in the final six contests. Tampa Bay finds itself in the same spot it’s been in recent years: poorly positioned to compete with the NFC’s elite in the postseason. But the only threat for the division crown is the middling Carolina Panthers, who are a half-game behind but still must face the Rams and Seahawks. So long as the Buccaneers at least split with Carolina in Weeks 16 and 18, another home playoff tilt should be in store.
Tennessee Titans – Cam Ward’s tenacity
The No. 1 pick has faced a litany of challenges that might break some rookie signal-callers with less resolve. Ward, however, has tried to stick it out as he works under an interim coach and alongside the league’s least threatening collection of offensive skill-position talent. It’s fair to worry that his development has been stunted in a debut season that has seen the dynamic playmaker take an NFL-high 45 sacks. But Ward has responded admirably to adversity, taking ownership of his missteps while not losing his spark.
Washington Commanders – Avoiding a Jayden Daniels catastrophe
This exercise is exceedingly difficult for a Washington team that went all in this offseason to push the roster over the top after a surprising run to the NFC title game, only to end up 3-8 while riding a six-game losing streak. But the Commanders’ outlook for this season and beyond could have been significantly more dire had Daniels’ dislocation of his non-throwing elbow been as severe as it initially looked to be, as the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year did not suffer structural damage or require surgery. Washington probably will have to flush this campaign and pursue a more honest assessment of where it stands for 2026, but it’s easier to move on knowing Daniels avoided a serious setback.
This post appeared first on USA TODAY
