NFL Picks Week 17: Teams That Will Come Up Clutch in Final Week

The Green Bay Packers are going to come up clutch in Week 17 of the 2011 NFL season.

Now, I know what you're thinking: How can the Packers possibly come up clutch?

At 14-1, they have the No. 1 seed, home-field advantage and a first-round bye in the playoffs all wrapped up.

That's clutch enough, right?

Well, if that's what you think, I must inform you that you're mistaken.

The health of the Packers starters isn't all that's at stake this weekend, even though I'll give you that it's most important.

Which team would know and understand the benefit of going into the playoffs on a hot streak? 

Which team has a chance to sweep their division and the potential to take a division rival and throw them into the sixth seed, rather than the fifth?

If you've answered the Packers, I think you're finally starting to get it.

The Packers need to come up clutch, and they will. 

It's unsure whether or not the starters will play, but if I was in charge, I'd make sure they were out there to end the season right.

Last time these two teams played, the Packers forced Matthew Stafford into three interceptions, and then, Aaron Rodgers went 22-of-33 for 307 yards and two touchdowns. There's no reason to believe the outcome won't be similar, especially with the Packers home-field advantage over Detroit being so distinct.

While we're on the topic, I'd keep your eye on the New York Giants, as they are another team with home-field advantage that needs to come up clutch.

The Cowboys and Giants square off in the matchup that will determine the winner of the NFC East, and ultimately, who gets to go to the playoffs.

The Giants have a distinct advantage in this matchup, being that Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo bruised his hand last week in a loss to the Eagles.

Compound that with the fact that the Giants have the fifth-ranked sack defense in the NFL, with 42 sacks, and that's a combination that doesn't bode well for Cowboys fans.

Finally, as if you needed anymore reason to go with the Giants, there's quarterback Eli Manning, who was just voted to his second Pro Bowl.

He's thrown for 4,587 yards and 26 touchdowns, but he also has 16 interceptions and six fumbles to his name. Whichever way you look at it, he gives the Giants an advantage.

This is going to be a huge moment in Manning's career, and the cards are all stacked in his favor. 

One has to assume that he and the Giants will come up clutch in a game they have many advantages in.

Look for the Packers and Giants to come up clutch in the final week of the season.

One team doesn't need it as much, and the other team has no other choice.

Either way, a win will be huge or these teams.