Thanksgiving week is always a fun time for football fans. This year there are three games Thursday, a bonus game Friday, and a full slate on Sunday with no bye weeks to consider. Still you might be disappointed in how your team (real or fantasy) has performed. I'm here to tell you that, no matter your record, you have reasons to be thankful. Here are just a few.
Be thankful you're not the New York Giants. A couple years ago they chose to pay Daniel Jones, and subsequently had to let Saquon Barkley go. Now they've released Jones and have to watch Barkley tear up the league playing for a division rival. He ran for 255 yards Sunday night, a number the Giants' passing game has eclipsed just three times this year. Barkley's Eagles are 9-2 and the Giants are 2-9. Things might not be going well for your fantasy team, but it probably isn't quite that bad. Even Daniel Jones gets paid to play golf if he wants.
Be thankful for the competitive teams we're seeing. Aside from the aforementioned Eagles, the Lions are 10-1, the Vikings are 9-2, and the Bills are also 9-2. We don't need to mention Kansas City, who are cruising along at 10-1 and getting healthier. This isn't a year where there's a great team and everybody else. A number of teams could compete for a spot in the Super Bowl, and we're watching a fun season with an unpredictable postseason ahead. We often get upsets, but it isn't like this every year.
Be thankful for the western divisions in each conference. In the NFC, all teams are within a game of each other. And in the AFC, as many as three teams might get in. They aren't all title contenders, but the races are interesting.
If you have CeeDee Lamb in a PPR league, be thankful the Cowboys are still trying. I'm not sure what they stand to gain by trotting their best player out there when he's battling injuries each week, but they're doing it. In three games with Cooper Rush he's caught 24 passes.
On a related note (and in defense of Dallas), I'm thankful that teams don't seem to be tanking. The Browns are still fighting hard and beat Pittsburgh last week. Carolina took Kansas City to overtime. They might not be playing in late January, but at least they're still trying in November.
Be thankful you're not responsible for Cincinnati's defense. Joe Burrow leads the league in passing yards and touchdowns. Ja'Marr Chase is leading the league in receiving yards and touchdowns. And they're 4-7. In their last five losses they've given up at least 34 points in each game. They're getting stellar play out of their offense, and it's going to waste thanks to the other side of the ball. They'll be the best team to miss the playoffs, and you can blame the defense for it.
Be thankful there's life after the Jets. I know Sam Darnold and Geno Smith are pretty thankful. They might both end up in the playoffs. Aaron Rodgers might be feeling thankful next year, or maybe the Jets will be thankful to move on.
This might sound trivial, but I'm thankful for the creative variations of helmets and uniforms. Sometimes I think they look silly, but I've been liking what I've seen this year. The Colts and Chargers looked particularly sharp in week 12, despite losing. If you're going to take the L, do it in style.
I'm thankful (and a little surprised) at all the success young quarterbacks are having. Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix are behind center for playoff contenders, and Drake Maye is looking like a solid pick for New England. Even Bryce Young seems to be coming around. I'm not sure what to make of Caleb Williams yet, but I think it's been pretty positive for a first-year player. None of these guys were competing last year (remember, I said "competing" so I can include Bryce Young here) so it's interesting to see how quickly the league changes.
I'm thankful that my fantasy future is never in jeopardy no matter how many bad decisions I make. Sometimes it seems like I'm always making the wrong call and starting the wrong guy, and a reporter has never called me out on it. No owner gets angry, I don't sit on a hot seat, and I get unlimited contract extensions. That's nice to have, even if I don't always deserve it.
Finally, I'm thankful for the last few weeks of the regular season. It isn't over. Play every week to the best of your ability, be as active as possible, and enjoy what's left of the season. It will be gone before you know it. Good luck this week.
What's making you thankful this week? How do you watch the games on Thursday? Share your thoughts below.