Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means we are quickly approaching the home stretch of the 2024 NFL season. There’s still plenty of time for teams on the fringes to get back into the playoffs, but even for those already looking ahead to 2025, there’s reason to be hopeful.
In the spirit of Christmas, here’s something each of the 32 teams can be grateful for this year:
The NFC West is wide open. Kyler Murray and Jonathan Gannon have made great strides, and the team’s mistakes have been offset by the battered nature of typically elite rivals in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Everything is still in front of them. Kirk Cousins has endured a roller coaster start in Atlanta, but at 6-5 in a winnable division, they are still in play for an NFC South title after the break.
Lamar Jackson is playing the best ball of his career. The addition of Derrick Henry as an oversized bruiser has helped the MVP quarterback reach new heights. He had never looked so comfortable and dynamic.
Josh Allen doesn’t need a world setting. With a reorganized and occasionally injury-plagued receiving corps, it remains a one-man show to keep the Bills among the AFC powers. Another race is in sight.
Bryce Young is finally making progress. It took a move to the bench and then back, but lately the 2023 No. 1 pick has established himself as a decision-maker and shooter, even in the face of pressure.
Staff turmoil is not eroding Caleb Williams. No one knows how long Matt Eberflus will remain atop a team that simply can’t do the little things right when they matter, but the rookie gunslinger has an “it” factor.
The connection between Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase could still save them. Another slow start for Zac Taylor’s group was buoyed by a porous defense. But man, can Burrow convey it to his sprinter better than anyone?
There is a small glimmer of hope under the center. Not long-term, really, but the entry of Jameis Winston as an injured Deshaun Watson’s replacement has at least brought some charisma and sparkle to the offense.
Jerry Jones could finally embrace real change. Furthermore, he is openly considering a Mike McCarthy extension. But missing the playoffs could lead him to totally reevaluate his status quo approach.
Sean Payton apparently got it right with Bo Nix. Occasionally derided as a first-round reach, Nix is now in the Offensive Rookie of the Year conversation for his athletic, unflappable debut under center.
Their leadership structure remains among the best in the NFL. No matter how this year ends, it’s clear that Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes know how to build a powerhouse. Especially their offense is an all-star team.
Major offseason additions are paying off. Josh Jacobs has helped anchor Matt LaFleur’s balanced offense amid a couple of Jordan Love bruises. And Xavier McKinney’s sale of balls has been a constant.
The AFC South is a disaster. CJ Stroud and Co. quickly went from a popular Super Bowl pick to a sold-out bunch. Fortunately, a playoff berth is still in sight thanks to unpleasant situations in the division.
Anthony Richardson has thick skin. The youngster may or may not be the long-term answer under center, but he has endured an abrupt benching, another injury absence and a shaky protection in Year 2.
Change is on the horizon. Doug Pederson helped heal the culture in 2022, but his injury-plagued offense has been stagnant for a while, leaving Trevor Lawrence more of a question mark than a true star.
Patrick Mahomes’ killer instinct is still intact. Everyone around him is seemingly aging, injured or spared, but the quarterback’s ridiculously efficient late-game scramble has kept them winners.
A true quarterback reboot is all but guaranteed. With or without Antonio Pierce moving forward, how can you not invest more resources in the center after shuffling between one ill-fitting backup after another?
Jim Harbaugh is bringing out the best in Justin Herbert. The quarterback may not have a top-notch skill set, but his new coach has elevated both his comfort and confidence, in the pocket and on the move.
His receivers are still among the best in the NFL. That, of course, doesn’t mean they always get the ball, with Matthew Stafford sometimes trapped behind an iffy line. But Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp are legit.
Tua Tagovailoa stands tall. For now. After suffering another concussion earlier this year, Miami should be grateful that he is upright, capable of making the Dolphins competitive with his accuracy.
Almost all have exceeded expectations. Sam Darnold was supposed to be a replacement, but he’s leading a deep, scrappy contender. Kevin O’Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah are show creators.
The quarterback position is not without long-term intrigue. A year ago, Mac Jones was ending a discouraging run as a starter. Drake Maye offers many more off-script assets as the new kid in town.
An appropriate change may be necessary. Derek Carr and company are fighting for wild card relevance again, but Dennis Allen’s departure signaled that the team’s top brass is finally, rightly, open to a more fundamental rebuild.
The board will have to answer for the offensive deficiencies. Daniel Jones’ departure was expected, but general manager Joe Schoen also has to answer for a flawed and seemingly perpetual rebuild.
A total explosion awaits us. Coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas have already retired after putting all their chips in the aging and ailing Aaron Rodgers. They urgently need new ideas on key points.
Saquon Barkley is much better than advertised. They unexpectedly paid a lot of money for the running back, but his MVP-level dynamism has helped calm everyone down, including Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni.
Mike Tomlin is maximizing his talents once again. Despite an ugly loss to the Browns, Tomlin put together arguably his best playoff-caliber group in years, even using two quarterbacks so far.
Brock Purdy has proven himself in the midst of chaos. The fragility of his weapons and declining defensive dominance might not result in another title bid, but the young quarterback has remained composed.
Mike Macdonald’s defense is promising. A dry spell threatened to derail their NFC West chances, but the former Baltimore Ravens coordinator has put together some stifling games from the unit overall.
They will not go down without a fight. It’s been their modus operandi throughout the Baker Mayfield-Todd Bowles duo, but the former has struggled even without a host of injured weapons on offense.
They have identified some building blocks. Will Levis may or may not be one of them, but Tony Pollard and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine have shined as big-play talents for Brian Callahan’s transition offense.
Jayden Daniels’ magic should go well beyond 2024. The club’s once-vaunted playoff hopes look more murky now. But the rookie quarterback has flashed All-Pro-level style as a dual-threat in his debut.
