The past 3 weeks have been absolutely brutal if you’re a Bills fan. The ranks of fans still talking about playoffs for the Bills has dwindled to almost nothing – only the most delusional amongst us still think the Bills can come out of their death spiral and find a way to play in the postseason.

We’ve been through this before – lots of times. This type of performance should rightly be expected if you’ve been watching for the past decade, yet somehow it seems surprising. I guess that’s what happens when you have some hope and you start to dream about better times – you get crushed. It hurts. It feels like death.

OK – no use trying to explain how you feel – we all feel it. You know I’m a curmudgeon – I’m good at it – I’ve had lots of practice. But in this week of giving thanks, I think we as Bills fans have a lot for which to be thankful – it’s all in how you look at it. They say every cloud has a silver lining, so let’s hunker down and list out why we are thankful as we approach Turkey Day.

I’m thankful that the local broadcast of the Bills games here in the Boston area have been switched to “more competitive games” by halftime and the locals here have only seen half of how bad the Bills have been.

I’m thankful that my co-workers still try and comfort me with patronizing comments as they watch their team take yet another division title – they care, they really care.

I’m thankful that we’ve had some really nice weather the past two Sunday afternoons – it’s made yard work so much more enjoyable – who wants to sit in a stuffy house to watch the second half, anyway?

I’m thankful that I’ve been able to get so much more done on Sundays. The Bills current course has me projected to finish a number of home projects that probably wouldn’t otherwise get done AND allow me to spend much more quality time with my wife and kids. I’m thinking my renewed dedication could really pay off for Father’s Day in June.

I’m thankful that the mounting injuries on the team are allowing some guys to live out their dreams and play in the NFL. If you’re 300+ pounds and have ever played offensive line beyond the Pop Warner level you too could take advantage of the Bills’ latest fantasy camp that culminates in your being promoted to an actual NFL roster. You get to keep the customized jersey with your name as a lovely parting gift when you get cut or put on IR.

I’m thankful that we get to see some fresh faces on the field on weekly basis. Who knew that Johnny White wore #20 and could prove such as easy conversion of your existing Donte Whitner jersey? If you can remove an N and an R from the back of a nameplate you have yourself some new duds for Sunday.

I’m thankful that Shawne Merriman has more company on IR – I was worried that he might be getting lonely. If the Bills are anything like the Red Sox he’ll now have more buddies with whom to drink beers and eat chicken while his teammates are on the field.

I’m thankful that Ryan Fitzpatrick signed a 5 year, $59 million dollar extension. Despite the interceptions, he seems like a good guy and now he has the coin to cater those weekend pot luck meals with his neighbors or move away and live somewhere with ritzier, less folksy neighbors.

I’m thankful that Leodis McKelvin is on the bench – the bench players really needed some leadership and he’s just they guy to give it to them. With Aaron Maybin gone we really needed a first round bench warmer and Leodis stepped up to the plate.

I’m thankful that we now know C.J. Spiller is not an NFL running back, nor is he an NFL wide receiver. Next stop: cornerback. Hey - they guy’s first round talent – we’ll find a place for him somewhere.

I’m thankful that we have George Edwards. Truth be told, I was really starting to miss the days when we had someone named Edwards screw up the Bills.

I’m thankful we’ll have another 4 years or so wondering why the Bills can’t ever seem to find a decent quarterback. In the cyclical rollercoaster of Buffalo Bills quarterbacks, we find ourselves once again coming off the high of feeling good that we finally found our man, only to see him sink like a stone to the depths of our despair. Nostalgia’s fun and it keeps Jim Kelly in our hearts forever.

I’m thankful that the Bills defense is giving up lots of points – at least we are getting to see some touchdowns. Nothing worse than those 6-3 losses where you don’t get to see any cool scoring plays.

I’m thankful the Bills will likely be drafting in the top 10 of the draft the spring – nothing like racking up high draft picks to open up your possibilities of blowing yet another draft.

I’m thankful the Bills secondary has been able to make some young quarterbacks look good. Mark Sanchez, Tony Romo and Matt Moore have all looked really, really good – they don’t get to do that too often.

I’m thankful the season is more than half over.

I’m thankful my fantasy football teams are doing well – at least there’s some reason to watch some football on a weekly basis.

I’m thankful I can still make light of how bad things have become instead of hurting myself or others.

I’m thankful it’s time to call it a night and think about something else.