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What each NFL team should be thankful for this Thanksgiving
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

What each NFL team should be thankful for this Thanksgiving

As evidenced by the Chiefs-Rams game exceeding expectations (putting it mildly), the NFL has enjoyed a strong year. Most teams are still in contention for the playoffs, and even the ones that aren't have something going for them. Here's what every team's fan base should be thankful for at the Thanksgiving point of the calendar.

 
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Arizona Cardinals: Fitz's victory lap

Arizona Cardinals: Fitz's victory lap
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

One of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history may be entering his final games, and Cardinals fans should certainly be thankful he passed through the desert. It's not certain Larry Fitzgerald will retire, but the 35-year-old's numbers are way down in the first post-Bruce Arians season and he's considered retirement in each of the past two offseasons. Fitz moved past Terrell Owens and into second on the career receiving-yardage list earlier this month. If he plays one more season, he'll have a great chance to end his career second in receptions. Regardless, it's time to savor No. 11 in Arizona.

 
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Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan back in near-MVP form

Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan back in near-MVP form
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Year 1 of the Matt Ryan-Steve Sarkisian partnership lowered the Falcons' ceiling. While Ryan is not in this year's MVP conversation, the 2016 MVP is finding a way to thrive post-Kyle Shanahan. He eclipsed his 16-game 2017 touchdown-pass total (20) in Atlanta's ninth game this year, and the 11th-year veteran's air-yards-per-attempt figure (9.2) is much higher than last season's (7.5). The Falcons endured several defensive injuries and are without Devonta Freeman, but Ryan and Julio Jones (1,158 yards) are doing well to compensate.

 
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Baltimore Ravens: No one else seems to want the AFC's No. 6 seed

Baltimore Ravens: No one else seems to want the AFC's No. 6 seed
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

When the Ravens dominated the Steelers in Pittsburgh in Week 4, they looked like they'd rediscovered their contender form. A playoff onlooker for the past three years, Baltimore was 4-2 after its 11-sack performance against the Titans in Week 6. The Ravens are 1-3 since. The three losses did come against teams with a combined 22-7-1 record, but games against the Chiefs and Chargers remain. Luckily, nine wins may be enough to land the AFC's No. 6 seed in another uninspiring race for it. And Lamar Jackson at least brings some intrigue, even if he's a far-from-refined passer.

 
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Buffalo Bills: Defense will be worth watching

Buffalo Bills: Defense will be worth watching
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo's offense remains historically bad , despite man-off-the-street Matt Barkley delivering some out-of-nowhere competence against the Jets. But in a tough time for NFL defenses, this one stands out. The Bills enter Week 11 with the No. 2 total defense (yards; the other Bills QBs' troubles hurt the defense in the points-allowed column) and have exciting young talents in Tre'Davious White and Tremaine Edmunds. Old stalwarts Kyle Williams and Lorenzo Alexander may be in their final games as Bills as well. That won't rope in the RedZone crowd, but the Bills are showing intermittent promise.

 
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Carolina Panthers: Cam and Norv clicking

Carolina Panthers: Cam and Norv clicking
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Coming into 2018, Cam Newton's monstrous 2015 season looked like an outlier. The former MVP's 2016 and '17 work was not that of a high-end quarterback. Who would have guessed a 66-year-old assistant running a ninth franchise's offense could generate this kind of resurgence? Under Norv Turner, Newton (20 touchdown passes, six INTs) is on pace to throw the second-most TDs of his career. Newton's thrown at least two TD passes in eight straight games and has the Panthers, who've been damaged by offensive line injuries, soaring toward the playoffs.

 
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Chicago Bears: Khalil Mack

Chicago Bears: Khalil Mack
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Back from his ankle injury, Mack is steamrolling toward a fourth straight double-digit sack season. This one matters a bit more than most of the others, with the Bears now a legit playoff contender. Mack (eight sacks, five forced fumbles) toiled for four bad Raiders defenses before the seminal trade. It will be fun to see what kind of effect he'll have on a top-tier unit that will be playing for the franchise's first playoff berth in eight years. Even if Aaron Donald is running away in the Defensive Player of the Year race, Mack is an impact talent now in a relevant situation.

 
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Cincinnati Bengals: Second-day draft finds

Cincinnati Bengals: Second-day draft finds
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Recent games have revealed the Bengals to be a second-tier contender at best, but this franchise has found some contributors on Day 2 of recent drafts — players who should be dependable in the coming years. Tyler Boyd (Round 2, 2016), Joe Mixon (Round 2, 2017), Jessie Bates (Round 2, 2018), Carl Lawson (Round 3, 2017) and Sam Hubbard (Round 3, 2017) bring essential supporting-cast help for this contending team. While the Bengals are trapped in the NFL's middle class, some talent acquired on recent drafts' Fridays provides optimism that a long-awaited leap could be possible. 

 
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Cleveland Browns: John Dorsey

Cleveland Browns: John Dorsey
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Baker Mayfield and Nick Chubb torched the Falcons in their finest days as pros. Denzel Ward's been one of the league's top rookies as well, and Genard Avery and Antonio Callaway have regular roles as well from Dorsey's first Browns draft class. The Chiefs' season further illustrates why the Browns are in good hands going forward after two astoundingly inept seasons. Cleveland is probably not in playoff contention, but watching Dorsey's picks continuing to blossom is a sign the front office is now in good shape. Ownership and the coaching staff? Baby steps.

 
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Dallas Cowboys: Young defensive talent changes equation

Dallas Cowboys: Young defensive talent changes equation
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

While Jerry Jones' long-term commitment to Dak Prescott may be a bit premature, Dallas' quarterback has help on the other side of the ball. Byron Jones and Leighton Vander Esch are thriving for a Cowboys defense that's near the top of the league. The move from safety to cornerback has Jones in position to threaten Josh Norman's place atop the corner salary list, and Vander Esch is on wunderkind pace during what could be Sean Lee's final Cowboys season. Breakout defenders represent a big reason the team is in the playoff race (well, and the Eagles' underachievement.)

 
10 of 32

Denver Broncos: The 2018 rookie class

Denver Broncos: The 2018 rookie class
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Poor drafts prevented the Broncos from assembling depth beyond their soon-to-be aging Super Bowl 50 core. That changed this year. Bradley Chubb, Courtland Sutton, Royce Freeman and UDFA dynamo Phillip Lindsay represent key building blocks in a rookie class that's looking as good as anything John Elway's brought in since his 2011 group. Chubb (nine sacks) could threaten Jevon Kearse's rookie record, and non-Combine invitee Lindsay (670 rushing yards) is one of the best rookie stories in recent years. Denver still needs a quarterback plan and a head coach, but vital young talent has arrived.

 
11 of 32

Detroit Lions: Their rivals aren't surefire Super Bowl contenders

Detroit Lions: Their rivals aren't surefire Super Bowl contenders
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The Lions may be stuck. They have a capable quarterback, but just not one who's proved able to lift a team to steady success. A $27-million-per-year contract tethers the Lions to Matthew Stafford for the foreseeable future, and Detroit's defense has not thrived under defensive-oriented coach Matt Patricia. These are the Bengals of the NFC, which isn't necessarily an insult. It's just the reality for a team that's trapped in the middle. But Kerryon Johnson's a nice find, and the Vikings, Bears and Packers won't be favorites to play in Super Bowl LIII. That's something.

 
12 of 32

Green Bay Packers: At last, some ground reinforcements

Green Bay Packers: At last, some ground reinforcements
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The last time the Packers featured a legitimate threat in the backfield was Eddie Lacy's second season (2014). Aaron Jones may be the most explosive Packer back of Aaron Rodgers' run. If the embattled Mike McCarthy recognizes the difference between what happens when Jones takes a handoff and when other Packers run the ball, Rodgers may not have to carry the offense to the degree he usually needs to. Jones exited Week 11 averaging 6.4 yards per carry; he will be a difference-maker for an undermanned Packers team. 

 
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Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson

Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Viewed as the least threatening AFC division leader, the Texans have a unique ceiling. When their quarterback heats up, they are ungodly explosive. Watson's injury sank the Texans last season, but he's led them to seven straight wins and has them on the verge of becoming the first 0-3 playoff team since the 1998 Bills and the first 0-3 team to win a division since the '92 Chargers. Still developing, Watson is set to play his most important NFL games. He has the Texans boasting more potential than they did in their 2015 and '16 division-title seasons. 

 
14 of 32

Indianapolis Colts: Andrew is back

Indianapolis Colts: Andrew is back
Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

The Colts are starting to receive some acclaim for turning their season around, but Andrew Luck's re-emergence surprisingly isn't. It wasn't a lock that Luck would play football again, and he's thrown at least three touchdown passes in seven straight games to give him 29 for the season. The severe shoulder trouble looks to be behind the 29-year-old talent. That's massive for a Colts team that would go nowhere without him. Luck's receiving nice contributions from Eric Ebron and Marlon Mack, too, and has Indianapolis as a stunning playoff contender. 

 
15 of 32

Jacksonville Jaguars: Defense in place for when QB arrives

Jacksonville Jaguars: Defense in place for when QB arrives
Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

A grim reality check came the Jaguars' way this season. Their Blake Bortles mistake is wasting a season. While Jacksonville's defense isn't as dominant as it was last season, the unit is fourth in yards allowed and seventh in run-stoppage DVOA. Jalen Ramsey, A.J. Bouye, Myles Jack, Yannick Ngakoue and Telvin Smith are young pieces who should be around in 2019 when presumably the organization will get serious about trying to find a capable quarterback to complement its ready-now defense.

 
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Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes

Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

The 2017 Chiefs featured a host of college concepts and saw Kareem Hunt, Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill gain most of the yards. But the Alex Smith-to-Mahomes upgrade is immense, and it's raised the Chiefs' ceiling to a Super Bowl level for the first time since the 1990s. A franchise that refused to invest in a first-round quarterback for almost 35 years struck gold, and pairing Mahomes with Andy Reid has the Chiefs' arrow pointing higher than any AFCer long term. He's an MVP candidate with a chance to throw 50 touchdown passes and lock up the Chiefs' first No. 1 seed in 21 years. That's worth several Thanksgivings. 

 
17 of 32

Los Angeles Chargers: Not quite LaDainian, but a big help

Los Angeles Chargers: Not quite LaDainian, but a big help
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Chargers have teased before, but they're now 13-4 in their past 17 regular-season games. It's hard to deny they're going to have a say in who earns the AFC's Super Bowl LIII spot. Melvin Gordon's an essential component of this surge. The 2015 first-rounder is behind only Tyreek Hill in explosive plays (15-plus-yard runs or 20-plus-yard receptions) with 20. With 448 receiving yards, he's on pace to shatter his single-season high (476). Gordon's the centerpiece of a deep skill-position corps that may finally have the Chargers in position for a January run.

 
18 of 32

Los Angeles Rams: Sean McVay

Los Angeles Rams: Sean McVay
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

It's difficult to overstate what the 32-year-old head coach means to the Rams. This offense was an indescribable disaster under Jeff Fisher and Rob Boras in 2016, averaging 262.7 yards per game — 32nd by an astonishing margin that year. McVay turned that into 2017's No. 1 scoring offense and has this year's outfit in the top three in both points and yards. With Cardinals and 49ers games still on tap, the 10-1 Rams may still be the favorites to attain NFC home-field advantage. McVay may turn into one of this generation's greatest coaching hires.

 
19 of 32

Miami Dolphins: Playoff chance still exists

Miami Dolphins: Playoff chance still exists
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The AFC produced two shaky wild-card representatives last season in a down year for the conference. With the Chargers (or Chiefs) set to commandeer one of the non-division-winner spots this season, the race for the No. 6 seed is on. It may be ugly, but at 5-5, the Dolphins are in the mix. They're down Ryan Tannehill again, but Adam Gase is a quality play-caller. Four games against .500-or-worse opposition remain. Miamians can also watch a local icon help the team secure a playoff berth, with 35-year-old Coral Gables native Frank Gore (team-high 528 rushing yards, 4.5 per carry) playing a key role. 

 
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Minnesota Vikings: Adam Thielen

Minnesota Vikings: Adam Thielen
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

This is one of the greatest underdog stories in modern sports. Thielen wasn't even a priority free agent when he entered the NFL. Merely a rookie minicamp body, the Minnesota native is now a top-10 wideout and will play a key role in whether the Vikings can live up to expectations in the likely event they make the playoffs. Thielen's 1,013 receiving yards rank third, and the players he's competing for an All-Pro slot with are mostly ex-elite prospects. Minnesota is getting away with paying its best receiver less than $5 million per year, and fans should be thankful they're witnessing Thielen's rise.

 
21 of 32

New England Patriots: Four more AFC East games

New England Patriots: Four more AFC East games
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

This may be the worst of the Patriots' 2010s teams; they've slunk to 11th in DVOA. But like those squads, this one benefits from playing in an awful division. The Pats' AFC East competition may be worse than it's been at any point during their near-20-year run, and it will help a still-dangerous team shore up weaknesses before the playoffs. The Patriots have six games left; four come against the Bills, Dolphins and Jets. This paves a cozy path back to a bye and will prop up a team that thrives on home field in the playoffs (19-3 under Bill Belichick).

 
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New Orleans Saints: Drew F. Brees

New Orleans Saints: Drew F. Brees
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Perpetually hovering in the respective shadows of Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers, Brees is in a zone this season. Owner of the NFL's completion percentage record, the 39-year-old quarterback's on pace to shatter it. (He's at 77 percent!) Brees watched the aforementioned QBs gobble up a combined 10 MVPs during his career but is now the favorite to win his first. The Saints don't have reliable parts at tight end or WR2, but Brees (25 TD passes, one INT) has this machine in high gear. If he's able to lead the Saints to the NFC's No. 1 seed, that's a well-paved Super Bowl path. He's 5-0 in January Superdome games.

 
23 of 32

New York Giants: Another high pick will join Saquon

New York Giants: Another high pick will join Saquon
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants already have one of the best backs in the game. Looking at Saquon Barkley's ability to find creases behind New York's terrible offensive line, it's hard not to imagine what he would do if he was working with what Todd Gurley has in Los Angeles. With 1,268 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns, Barkley's the Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite. This season is lost, and the decorated but scrutinized Eli Manning era may be ending. But the Giants are going to have another high draft pick to go with Barkley. On a team that also employs Odell Beckham Jr., that's exciting.

 
24 of 32

New York Jets: Sam remains the future

New York Jets: Sam remains the future
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

All of the first-round rookies have endured some rough patches thus far, as could be expected. But Sam Darnold's also shown flashes he could be the Jets' signal-caller for some time. He leads the NFL with 14 interceptions, but the Jets weren't expected to compete this season. It was always going to be a developmental year. Observing Darnold's development down the stretch will be the obvious reason to watch Jets games. It beats the scant aesthetic appeal associated with this franchise for most of this decade.

 
25 of 32

Oakland Raiders: Draft choices (and only that)

Oakland Raiders: Draft choices (and only that)
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

This sinking ship won't have a chance to resurface until the 2019 draft. The Raiders have the inside track on the No. 1 overall pick and own two more first-round selections. Given what's gone down in Jon Gruden's first year back, the damage in Oakland may/should be irreparable. A moribund franchise wins 12 games in 2016 only to be Art Shell 2.0-level bad within two years as another relocation looms. Fans who plan to remain fans for the Las Vegas years should at least be excited about the upcoming draft. (Just don't look at Gruden's draft history or this.) 

 
26 of 32

Philadelphia Eagles: Zach Ertz, PPR maven

Philadelphia Eagles: Zach Ertz, PPR maven
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

With road games against the Rams and Cowboys still on the schedule, the 4-6 Eagles are in danger of missing the playoffs. They'd be the second defending champion in three years to do so but wouldn't have the same kind of excuse the 2016 Broncos did. Zach Ertz, though, is honing in on a first-team All-Pro bid. An Eagles tight end hasn't done this since Keith Jackson in 1990. Ertz's 77 receptions lead all tight ends by 10 grabs. It might not be enough to save this oddly slumping team, but Jason Witten's single-season record (110 catches) is in sight.

 
27 of 32

Pittsburgh Steelers: Insta-Le'Veon successor

Pittsburgh Steelers: Insta-Le'Veon successor
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

A key reason the Steelers shook off Le'Veon Bell's will-he/won't-he theatrics this year: His backup has morphed into an All-Pro candidate. James Conner has a chance to hit 2,000 yards from scrimmage. The western Pennsylvania native is outperforming Bell's final Steelers season and has helped this year's team stabilize after a shaky start. Although Conner's not as important to the Steelers as Ben Roethlisberger or Antonio Brown, his presence has helped this franchise somehow shake off the loss of a player many called the best back in the NFL. 

 
28 of 32

San Francisco 49ers: Roster needs help, but coach is in place

San Francisco 49ers: Roster needs help, but coach is in place
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

For most of Kyle Shanahan's one-and-a-half-season 49ers tenure, he hasn't had the luxury of working with a reliable quarterback. The rest of San Francisco's roster needs work in what will be a key offseason, but the team signed up for a long rebuild. The second-generation head coach remains one of the NFL's top offensive minds. There isn't much to get excited about on the field for a 49ers team headed toward another top-10 pick, but it's never been so important to have a dynamic play-caller running the show. Unfortunately, the plays won't matter much until Jimmy Garoppolo can throw again.

 
29 of 32

Seattle Seahawks: Revitalized run game

Seattle Seahawks: Revitalized run game
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

In the three seasons after their two Super Bowl appearances, the Seahawks could no longer deploy even a moderately successful rushing attack. They leaned on Russell Wilson last year, and his 586 rushing yards led the team by more than 300. Now Seattle has three backs averaging north of 4.5 yards per carry. Chris Carson has three 100-yard games, and Mike Davis (372 yards) has posted nice support. With Rashaad Penny also emerging, a rebuilding-on-the-fly Seattle squad has its best ground game since Marshawn Lynch's 2014 showing. It's helped make the Seahawks a stealth playoff threat.

 
30 of 32

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Pass-catcher future remains bright

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Pass-catcher future remains bright
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Dirk Koetter, Jameis Winston and maybe general manager Jason Licht — the Buccaneers' cornerstones and lead actors in 2017's "Hard Knocks" — may be on their way out. Tampa Bay's pass defense is a disaster, and the team keeps switching QBs. Times aren't great for south Florida's NFC team, but the Bucs still have elite pass-catching depth. DeSean Jackson may be in his final Bucs games, but fans can observe the developments of O.J. Howard and Chris Godwin. Mike Evans is locked up long term, and an Adam Humphries re-signing makes sense. The present is grim, but this group is key to Tampa Bay's future. 

 
31 of 32

Tennessee Titans: Defense buffs can rejoice

Tennessee Titans: Defense buffs can rejoice

Even after giving up 38 points to the Colts, the Titans rank second in scoring defense at 18.9 points permitted per game. Tennessee (5-5) has an avenue to the playoffs after a rough October. Shutting down a Patriots team that scored at least 31 points in five of its previous six games stamped the Titans as a candidate to attain that No. 6 seed in the AFC playoffs. Tennessee's unreliable offense may intercede, but the Titans are in the thick of the postseason race. 

 
32 of 32

Washington Redskins: Front-seven pieces

Washington Redskins: Front-seven pieces
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The most confusing of the Week 12 division leaders, the Redskins are not a flashy team. Although Colt McCoy is now involved, Washington has a chance at a playoff return. Ryan Kerrigan and Zach Brown have made strong contributions in the past, but an improved defensive line is supporting Washington's linebackers this season. Matt Ioannidis' 7.5 sacks trail only Aaron Donald, J.J. Watt and Chris Jones among 3-4 defensive ends, and Alabama-developed youngsters Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne have helped the Redskins boast a top-five scoring defense. 

Sam Robinson is a Kansas City, Mo.-based writer who mostly writes about the NFL. He has covered sports for nearly 10 years. Boxing, the Royals and Pandora stations featuring female rock protagonists are some of his go-tos. Occasionally interesting tweets @SRobinson25.

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