Thanksgiving is here, and every NFL team has reason to be grateful. Yes, that’s right, all 32! Some are clearly better positioned to succeed than others. Some, in fact, may well see their playoff hopes all but dashed this holiday weekend. But this day is all about appreciation, and if you look closely enough, there’s at least a piece of promise in every NFL city.
Here’s something every team can be grateful for in 2022:
Greg Dortch looks like a real up and coming. In a team overloaded with aging and often injured veterans, the 24-year-old former undrafted wide receiver has been a safe outlet when he’s on the field.
Arthur Smith knows how to build a ground game. The Falcons are more competitive than they should be largely because everyone who carries the ball, from Cordarrelle Patterson to rookie Tyler Allgeier, finds open lanes in his system.
Lamar Jackson’s legs are in great shape. A year after injuries plagued the star quarterback, his athleticism alone has kept the Ravens’ offense afloat, paired with a replenished defense to keep playoff hopes alive.
Stefon Diggs has gotten better with age. Josh Allen’s presence as the ball-delivering guy is certainly at the top of Buffalo’s list of blessings, but his No. 1 target remains one of the NFL’s most reliable road runners and physical players at 30 years.
The top seven has a promising future. Their defense doesn’t technically register as a top unit, but a number of individual pieces (i.e. Brian Burns, Derrick Brown, Frankie Luvu) have confirmed themselves as building blocks.
Justin Fields is definitely something. The second-year QB still needs time and more help to grow as a passer, but, boy, has he exploded as a playmaker on the field. Let the brass of the team surround him with adequate weapons in 2023.
Joe Burrow is still that guy. Not Ja’Marr Chase? No Joe Mixon? The Bengals can usually count on smooth navigation as long as their guy is under center; few QBs right now are throwing better touch passes at any level of the field.
Amari Cooper was worth the bet. Cleveland essentially only gave up a fifth-round pick for the ex-Cowboys WR, remember, and while the Browns struggled overall, he produced against superior opponents, especially in the red zone.
Dak Prescott hits cruising speed at the right time. After a long layoff due to injury, the QB settled as a crackerjack distributor for the Dallas Fast Arms. He has yet to prove he can win a big game, but the needle is pointing up.
The defense is intact. The sour pairing of Russell Wilson and Nathaniel Hackett have clogged local headlines, but that hasn’t stopped Patrick Surtain II and Co. from somehow giving this duo a chance in every game this year.
Dan Campbell’s offense can compete in many ways. Which is a big thing to say, considering they’ve struggled with injuries and often caught up. On the ground (Jamaal Williams) and in the air (Amon-Ra St. Brown), they were fighters.
Christian Watson has the makings of a star. His emergence may have been too little, too late to save a shoddy setup for Aaron Rodgers, but the rookie was a tantalizing combo of size and speed on his recent breakout.
Dameon Pierce is a bulldozer. The rookie running back is the main reason Houston has been able to keep so many close games in the first half of the year, giving whoever takes over at QB in 2023 a real partner in clearing tackles.
The WR body looks ready for the future. Acquiring a longer-term QB is paramount, but the young trio of Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce and Parris Campbell have been surprisingly powerful, especially given the team’s other troubles.
Trevor Lawrence is in a much better place. The QB still has room to grow, but not only is he more comfortable under Doug Pederson, but two of his best weapons in Travis Etienne and Christian Kirk just seem to be entering their prime.
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Patrick Mahomes is a panacea. Too obvious, perhaps, but how can Chiefs fans be more grateful for anything other than the No. 15, whose chemistry with Travis Kelce and unflappable creativity set Kansas City up for another title run?
Maxx Crosby is a disruptor. A year after exploding with 30 QB hits, the edge rusher is up to nine sacks in 10 games, giving consistent juice to a Raiders defense that took its fair share of chunks in Josh McDaniels’ first year .
Austin Ekeler is always automatic. Employing Justin Herbert, you would like to see more overall. But Ekeler is such a reliable utility (971 scrimmage yards in 10 games) that his offense can never be counted.
The Lombardi Trophy still belongs to them, for now. The hellscape that has been their 2022 campaign is a partial consequence of what they paid to secure the 2021 title race. The depth is now exhausted, but at least the Rams reigned supreme a year ago.
Their new configuration unlocked Tua Tagovailoa. We don’t yet know the young QB’s ceiling, but he’s been a noticeably more confident passer with Mike McDaniel calling plays and Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle striding down the field.
Kevin O’Connell changed the vibes. A playoff berth may or may not be their ceiling as usual, but the first-year coach has brought a refreshing offensive-focused approach to one of the game’s best talent pools. His team has determination.
Bill Belichick can overcome a sterile QB situation. Neither Mac Jones nor Bailey Zappe summoned warm support for a run-dependent offense, but Belichick’s old-school “D” has kept New England feisty all year.
Chris Olave is the real deal. Michael Thomas looks like he’s on his way out, and the Saints have yet to figure out QB beyond 2022, but at least they have a wide No. 1 on their hands. Only nine others have more receiving yards than the rookie.
Brian Daboll knows how to maximize his staff. The Giants weren’t in a position to contend this year, but Daboll’s fiery leadership allowed New York to at least play the spoilers. Imagine if he can get his hands on a game-changing caller.
Robert Saleh’s defense has taken shape. Improved across the board this offseason, the unit has some real young stars in Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner, and they’re tasked with propelling a playoff prospect to the offensive challenge.
Jalen Hurts is a different animal. Not just in terms of his unwavering aura, but relative to himself in 2021. As well as remaining a physical threat with his legs, he’s made great strides as a fielder, cementing his franchise-QB advantage .
They found their next big WR. Or at least it seems so, with George Pickens displaying Pro Bowl-caliber traits in an otherwise laborious offense. Pittsburgh’s track record in broad drafting and development is unmatched.
Jimmy Garoppolo was even better than expected. Back in the saddle after Trey Lance’s injury, the vet looked particularly comfortable with upgraded weapons and a stingy “D”, threatening another deep run in the playoffs.
Geno Smith is no longer the Geno Smith of old. He’s been a whole new machine as the successor to Russell Wilson, operating with authority to headline Pete Carroll’s surprise candidate and make their 2023 QB plans particularly interesting.
Rachaad White can help restore their offense. Tom Brady appears to be picking up some swagger after a rocky start, but the rookie’s emergence in the backfield could be a game-changer as he rounds out Leonard Fournette.
Derrick Henry is back. The bruiser doesn’t lead the NFL in yards per rush, in part because he gets so many, but healthy after a shortened injury in 2021, he’s propelling a division title again alongside Ryan Tannehill.
Terry McLaurin breaks out. We’ve always known the Ohio State product had WR1 capabilities, but he’s been especially critical to the team’s success this year, even with Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke taking snaps at QB.