Even teams with losing records have a reason to be thankful
We found one thing every team should be thankful for - and we admit, some were harder than others.
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys - Forbes Magazine: No matter how poorly your players perform or behave, you'll win another title as league's most lucrative franchise.
New York Giants - NFC East: This trainwreck of a division will keep you relevant far longer than you probably would be otherwise.
Philadelphia Eagles – Improved snow removal equipment: If not, those December home games could be a problem for Chip Kelly and the players.
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Washington Redskins - 'You like that!': QB Kirk Cousins' catchphrase (and inspired play) finally provided some levity to this dreary team.
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears - John Fox and Adam Gase: Exiled Broncos coaches salvaged competitive spirit in Windy City ... and maybe Jay Cutler's career.
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Detroit Lions - Lambeau Weep: Ending 24-year winless streak in Wisconsin may be only tears of joy Lions fans shed in this sorry season.
Green Bay Packers – Mike Ditka commercial: The fact a three-game losing streak came after the former Bears coach appeared in Packers gear gave fans someone to blame for the three-game losing streak other than the inefficient offense.
Minnesota Vikings - Mike Zimmer: The coach the rest of the league was too dumb to hire for years has Vikings playing their best ball in years.
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons - Backup quarterbacks: The Falcons have faced five already, a major reason they're even in the race for a playoff spot.
Carolina Panthers - Marty Hurney: Deposed GM really did a nice job laying foundation of team on cusp of third consecutive division crown.
New Orleans Saints - Fantasy football players: They love you and the shootouts your terrible defense breeds even if New Orleanians Ain't too happy.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Terrible 2014 team: Just maybe they'll leave a legacy you'll long cherish - the gift of Jameis Winston.
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals - Carson Palmer's knee: When it remains intact, this team (and especially WR Larry Fitzgerald) is so much more formidable.
St. Louis Rams - Teams drafting ahead of you: Some can be forgiven, but most in top 10 may rue missed opportunity to select Todd Gurley.
San Francisco 49ers - Home field in postseason: By that we mean front row seats to Super Bowl 50 in Levi's Stadium ... even if Niners won't be playing.
Seattle Seahawks - Greg Wilson: Back judge failed to flag MLB Bobby Wagner's illegal bat vs. Lions. Imagine where 'Hawks might be without him.
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AFC EAST
Patriots - Tom Brady: Sometimes it's best to be thankful for the constants amid chaos.
Jets - Todd Bowles and Mike Maccagnan: New York needed stability after the volatile Rex Ryan era, and it appears to have found it in its new coach and general manager.
Bills - Tyrod Taylor: Before the season, Buffalo contemplated trotting out Matt Cassel as its starter. Ask the Dallas Cowboys how that would have gone.
Dolphins - Diminished expectations: Remember when this team was considered a playoff contender?
AFC NORTH
Steelers – Trainers: Few teams have had to weather the ridiculous run of injuries that has struck the Steelers.
Ravens – Early shopping season: Already 3-7, the Ravens can start thinking about how to reboot next year.
Browns – New Year’s Eve is not far away: Because that will mean another lost season is almost over. And optimism for 2016 can begin.
Bengals - Hue Jackson: The offensive coordinator has taken Cincinnati to a new level in his second season with an attack that gets the most out of Andy Dalton.
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AFC SOUTH
Jaguars - Blake Bortles' progress: Jacksonville couldn't tolerate more inept QB play after the Blaine Gabbert era and Bortles' rookie struggles.
Titans - Marcus Mariota's promising season: It's a lot easier to tolerate a coaching change when you at least have your QB situation settled.
Colts - The AFC South: Where else could the Colts play this terribly and still be firmly in the playoff picture? OK, maybe the NFC East.
Texans - DeAndre Hopkins: Without their star receiver, Houston wouldn't be able to weather poor QB play and Arian Foster's injury.
AFC WEST
Chargers - Relocation talk: With all the concern about Los Angeles, few have taken stock of just how disappointing this team has been.
Chiefs - The second-half schedule: Kansas City could be a surprise playoff contender with an extremely light slate.
Broncos - Brock Osweiler: As bad as this Peyton Manning development is, imagine if Denver had to trot out a QB such as Kerry Collins or Curtis Painter as the Indianapolis Colts did when Manning went down in 2011.
Raiders - Derek Carr: Oakland might not get its first winning season since 2002, but its future looks as bright as any time during that span thanks to its second-year signal-caller.