EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 19: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants looks to hand off the ball in the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs on November 19, 2017 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The 2017 season will be one that the New York Giants and their fans will want to forget.

No one could have imagined prior to the season that the New York Giants would be 2-8 and be in position to have a top three pick in the upcoming draft. But that’s exactly where they stand on Thanksgiving as they travel to Washington to take on the Redskins.

However, as the saying goes, there’s a silver lining behind the clouds, and there’s three things the Giants fans can be thankful for this season.

1. Changes are coming

When your team is 2-8, you know changes are coming. Even if the Giants were to come on strong over the final six weeks and finish with a record of 6-10, there will still be major changes coming down the pike.

Ben McAdoo and Jerry Reese’s futures are up in the air and whether they stay or go depends on how the Giants fare over the last six days.

At the very least, Giants owners John Mara and Steve Tisch will force Reese to go out and upgrade the offensive line and end his “take the best player available in the draft” mentality. They will also instruct him to finally acquire a linebacker that can cover tight ends. If the Giants freefall over the last six days, the Giants will have a new GM and coach next season.

Fans have wanted a better offensive line, new coach and new GM. They’ll have at least one of these by next season so be thankful for that!

2. Eli Manning

There are three guarantees in life: death, taxes, and that Eli Manning will start on game day for the Giants. This past Sunday he started his 209th consecutive game which puts him in second place all-time amongst quarterbacks, trailing only the great Brett Favre (297).

Despite losing three of his receivers and his center Weston Richburg for the season, Manning has put together a solid season. He’s currently completing 63.6% of his passes for the highest of his career and has 14 touchdowns to only six interceptions.

Whatever changes the Giants make in the offseason, they don’t need to make a change to their starting quarterback and fans should be thankful they have probably the most durable quarterback in the league.

3. Evan Engram

Even though he was held to just one reception last week, the 41 receptions by Evan Engram leads the team and is tied for the eighth-most among tight ends this season. His five touchdown receptions also leads the team and with one more touchdown he’ll break the franchise record for most touchdown receptions by a tight end.

You would have to go back decade ago when they had Jeremy Shockey to declare the Giants had an elite tight end and fans should be thankful that they finally have a big-play tight end.

Among all the negatives, there are quite a few positives to look forward to. Since the Giants can’t seem to eke out any more victories, we can make sure to find something to toast to at Thanksgiving this year. Happy Turkey Day!

Jason's first love was football while growing up in northern New Jersey. For the past three years, he has covered the New York Giants, as well as several boxing events along the East Coast.