As the holiday season approaches, football fans across the nation have their wish lists ready for their teams. From strategic trades to injury recoveries, each fan base dreams of the perfect holiday gift to boost their team’s morale and success.
Atlanta
Atlanta fans are hoping for a playoff berth, and they are primed to get what they want because the NFC South division is completely up for grabs. It’s been a long wait since 2017, and the anticipation is palpable. If this wish comes true, it will end the playoff drought and bring joy to the city.
Baltimore
With the hiring of coordinator Todd Monken, the signing of Odell Beckham Jr., and the drafting of Zay Flowers, Baltimore’s offense is one of the best in the league and they sit firmly in first place in their division. However, after losing Mark Andrews for the season, the Baltimore fans’ holiday wish is now for a new, dynamic tight end to help replace Lamar Jackson’s favorite target during a postseason run.
Buffalo
Buffalo fans are wishing for a division that was as easy to conquer as it was when Tom Brady was at the helm of New England. Unfortunately, it’s been tough to capitalize on New England’s fall from grace because Miami has surged ahead of the pack this year.
Carolina (Charlotte)
Carolina’s season has been tough, with issues in points allowed, turnovers, and penalties contributing to losses. Perhaps fans are hoping to throw in the towel on this season and get another high draft pick to reload for next year, or maybe they’d like a new head coach who can steer the ship in the right direction after Frank Reich was fired earlier this year.
Chicago
Quarterback Justin Fields has shown flashes of absolute greatness, but fans are hoping he can stay healthy so that he can continue to develop into the future of the franchise.
Cincinnati
Cincinnati has had a similar season to Buffalo in that expectations were high and the product on the field has been middling. A season-ending injury to Joe Burrow didn’t help, but fans are hoping that Jake Browning can continue to use his offensive weapons efficiently enough to get the Bengals a wild card spot in the playoffs.
Cleveland
Cleveland fans’ top wish this season is for their star-studded roster to make the playoffs and do some damage to the higher seeds. Their remaining schedule doesn’t look extremely difficult, so they could have a chance to challenge Baltimore for the division too.
Dallas
Dallas is putting together a dominant season, but fans are hoping it leads to a championship to get rid of the criticism that the team isn’t living up to expectations. Maybe fans will be able to use some of their holiday money to buy some gear that boasts playoff success this year.
Denver
Can Denver enjoy enough of Russ’ cooking to overtake Kansas City in the AFC West? Fans are certainly wishing for KC to fall victim to some more referee craziness and lose their grip on the division.
Detroit
This year could be the year Detroit puts it all together, but Detroit fans are praying for consistency down the stretch and for nobody else in the division to catch enough fire to push them out of a playoff spot.
Arizona (Glendale)
Arizona looks like it needs an overhaul, especially to keep pace with San Francisco and the other teams in the division. Whether that comes from a high draft pick, a trade for Kyler Murray, or another big move, fans are combing the headlines for some good news.
Green Bay
Green Bay, having lost star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, is grappling with a leadership gap that fans hope is filled by a surging Jordan Love.
Houston
Houston fans would appreciate not having to read a novel after looking at their team’s injury report. Even their kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn and young phenom C.J. Stroud haven’t been immune to the madness.
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is riding the Minshew Mania train as far as it’ll take them, which fans are hoping is a stop in the playoffs. This would be nothing short of a miracle after young stud Anthony Richardson went down with a season-ending shoulder surgery.
Jacksonville
Jacksonville fans can smell the playoffs already, but due to the team’s recent history, they are crossing their fingers for the team to hold onto first place. A side wish is for Trevor Lawrence’s sprained ankle to survive all the hits it takes along the way.
Kansas City
At the top of the Kansas City wish list is some help on offense for Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. They have weathered the storm after the departure of Tyreek Hill, but some sloppy play and inconsistencies have affected their ability to remain among the league’s top ranks.
Las Vegas
Las Vegas fans wish the team could receive a new offensive playbook. A midseason switch of head coach and quarterback have caused the team to plummet into last place amid a division with plenty of competition.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are brimming with potential but grappling with lack of experience. Fans are looking to the future for many good years to come from this fresh roster.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers face defense challenges, worsened by head coach Brandon Staley’s questionable calls this season. Fans wish for a strong defensive play caller who can make strategic decisions and effectively guide the team during games.
Miami
Miami is on fire right now, making fans optimistic about securing home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. That could be crucial because (as of this writing), the team has not lost on their home turf this season.
Minnesota
Could things get any bleaker in Minnesota? Both Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson are out with injuries, creating a major challenge for the team to score points from week to week.
New England (Foxborough)
New England fans hope for a more synchronized offense and for the Bill Belichick of old to return to his ways of finding diamonds in the rough. The team has lacked star power for a while, so fans would love for their high draft pick to pan out this time.
New Orleans
New Orleans fans are in the same boat as Atlanta fans. Both teams are viable threats to win a division that is wide open for anybody to take.
New York Jets
Jets fans experienced a rollercoaster of emotions when MVP Aaron Rodgers joined the team, only for him to rupture his Achilles tendon during his debut. Luckily the return of their star appears imminent, and it can’t come soon enough with the struggles the team has experienced at signal caller.
New York Giants
The Giants have had a rough season so far, with turnovers plaguing almost every game. Fumbles and interceptions have made for a poor start, leaving fans wishing for more secure handling of the ball. A refund on the large salary they paid quarterback Daniel Jones would go a long way toward retooling the team too.
Philadelphia
After losing to division rival Dallas, Philly fans may be a little discouraged, but ultimately they still wish for the team to finish what it started last season and bring home the coveted league championship.
Pittsburgh
Fans in Pittsburgh are yearning for a revival in their team’s passing offense, which has been struggling and ranks as one of the lowest in the league in terms of passing yards. The anticipation is palpable as they pin their hopes on Kenny Pickett, wondering if he could be the catalyst to turn the team around and lock in a wild card spot in the playoffs.
San Francisco
San Francisco supporters are crossing their fingers for a first-round bye that will help the team’s formidable roster rest up for a championship run that was foiled last year by an injury to quarterback Brock Purdy.
Seattle
A tumultuous month for safety Jamal Adams has some fans calling for his departure, while others are wondering if more sweeping changes are necessary to get the team back on track toward success.
Tampa Bay
Can Baker Mayfield and Tampa Bay hang on to first place long enough to make the playoffs? It’ll be tough with Atlanta and New Orleans on their heels, but fans are all in after Tom Brady raised their expectations for the team.
Tennessee (Nashville)
Perhaps Tennessee fans would enjoy a blast from the past, with younger versions of DeAndre Hopkins and Derrick Henry to dominate the league. It’s hard to imagine a team with those two big names struggling as they have, but that’s the reality fans have faced this season. Staying in Tennessee would be nice too because the team can’t seem to win on the road either.
Washington, D.C.
Washington fans would love to see a fortified offensive line. This would provide quarterback Sam Howell with the protection he needs to work the pocket and avoid sacks, which have been a common occurrence throughout this year.