The Indianapolis Colts are right in the middle of the AFC playoff race and they have to feel good about where they are at heading into Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is all about being thankful and the Colts have a lot of things to be thankful for, so let's breakdown two of them.

2. Josh McDaniels turning down the Colts job

After the Colts decided to move on from Chuck Pagano following the 2017 season, they offered the head coaching job to Josh McDaniels and he even accepted it.

Only a couple of days after accepting it, McDaniels decided that he didn't want the job and stayed as the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots. He was enjoying his role with the Patriots and it was best for his family at the time.

The team decided to hire Frank Reich after McDaniels went back to the Patriots and it has worked out well for both sides. He has gotten the best out of his players and has handled a tough situation with Andrew Luck the right way, something that is often forgotten.

Who knows, McDaniels might have turned out just fine, and done the same thing that Reich has done, but it's hard to imagine that he would be doing a better job.

1. A key 2017 trade

When the Colts sent Phillip Dorsett to the Patriots in return for Jacoby Brissett in 2017,  it was seen as a move to give the Patriots some depth at quarterback who could fill in for the often injured Andrew Luck. What the Colts didn't know at the time was that it might have actually saved the direction of their franchise.

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Former Indianapolis Colts star Dwight Freeney and Tom Brady in front of Lucas Oil Stadium.

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DeForest Buckner with money falling around him

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Andrew Luck smiling. Colts logo in the background.

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When Andrew Luck decided to retire before the start of the season the Colts weren't left scrambling to try and find a quarterback. They already had it on their roster

Brissett has earned nothing but praise for how he has handled the situation from his teammates and coaches. So far this season, he has thrown for 1,926 yards, 15 touchdowns, and four interceptions. He looks like he can be the long-term option going forward for the Colts under center.

If it wasn't for the trade back in 2017, the Colts probably would have gone into a rebuild and who knows how long it would have taken because franchise quarterbacks are hard to find.

Looking back on the trade in 20 years, it could go down as one of the best in franchise history.