All Eagles fans facing nervous Thanksgiving still have plenty of reasons to be grateful this season

Believe it or not, there are plenty of reasons for Eagles fans not to feel so gloomy about their favorite team as the Holidays approach.

While they haven’t provided much evidence to believe they’ll even win another game this season, let alone enough to capture the NFC East crown, they head to Thanksgiving in first place in the division, which means they remain in control of their playoff fate.

So on this Thanksgiving, here are five reasons to take a step back and appreciate a big picture that may not be so bad:

1. As we mentioned, despite losing their last two games to fall to 3-6-1, the Eagles still are in first place with six games to play. That may not seem like much, but it’s a better position than they were in last year at this time, when they were a game behind the Dallas Cowboys.

According to the New York Times’ interactive chart, their 41% chance of making the playoffs is significantly higher than the other three teams in the division.

2. Coach Doug Pederson’s teams finish strongly. They are 11-3 in December over the previous three seasons, including 4-0 last year and 4-1 in 2018, when they closed with three straight.

3. TheEagles are 3-0 in night games this year. Their next game is home against the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night.

4. They have some building blocks. Whether they choose to stick with Carson Wentz as the starting quarterback or make a switch, they have some emerging, young talent in place to help.

Miles Sanders, in his second year, already is one of the NFL’s most dynamic running backs. Tight end Dallas Goedert is the next Zach Ertz, only with better blocking skills. Travis Fulgham has established himself as a true force at wide receiver. Same for Greg Ward. Rookie receivers Jalen Reagor and John Hightower have game-breaking speed and high upsides. Tackle Jordan Mailata proved

he can play both sides. Rookie offensive lineman Jack Driscoll has contributed and looks like a lock as a future full-time starter. On defense, though not everyone is so young, high-priced cornerback Darius Slay is doing his job as expected. Defensive end Brandon Graham remains on track to have double-digit sacks for the first time in his 11-year career. Fellow defensive ends Derek Barnett and Josh Sweat also are on track to finish with career highs in sacks. Linebacker Alex Singleton proved he can play at a high level while playing a majority of the snaps. Defensive tackle Malik Jackson (team-high 22 QB pressures & hits) has bounced back strongly after missing almost all of last year with an injury.

On special teams, they have one of the best long-snappers (Rick Lovato) and punters (Cameron Johnston) in the game and a kicker (Jake Elliott) who despite all his recent struggles still has missed only one field-goal attempt under 50 yards this season.

5. TheCowboys, who seemed to spring to life with a thrilling win over Minnesota last week, are still the Cowboys. They will resume their path toward self-destruction on Thanksgiving against the Washington Football Team. You’ll see

Even if the Eagles lose out and don’t make the playoffs, it’s not the end of the world. That you’ve made it this far into this argument is a good sign that you’re healthy in the middle of a coronavirus pandemic that keeps trying to squeeze the life out of this country, but never will. That’s what’s most important. So take a step back, breathe, exhale, repeat, start focusing on a more edible bird and have a joyous Thanksgiving.