4 Eliminated NFL Teams That Will Win in Week 17

When a team has no chance to make the playoffs and it’s heading for its last season game, everything looks like a chore and everyone is anything but excited about it.

The media turn to more important games, the players have lost their biggest motivation and if at home, the stadium is not so loud; there may be even empty seats.

With no playoffs on the horizon, the eliminated teams make the upcoming draft their top priority. Under that prism, a loss looks a lot more valuable than a win, just because that’s an easy way to climb up two or three steps on the picking order.

Sometimes, though, winning that final game can determine a lot, from coaches being fired to players being traded.  Because in sports, the last impression is more important than the first one.

1) Philadelphia Eagles

Last week, the Philadelphia Eagles were in Dallas for the divisional game against the Cowboys. Just before the kick-off, they heard that the New York Jets fell to the Giants and their playoff hopes were vanished.

The Eagles, who were running a two–game winning streak, didn’t let the news dishearten them and played well enough to beat the Cowboys for the second time in 2011.

The season ends with a home game against the Washington Redskins. There is no love for a divisional opponent, especially in the NFC East and Philly would enjoy a winning result. I can’t tell the same thing for the Redskins for a single reason: Robert Griffin III is on their radar.

The Eagles want to win this game for their fans, too. It’s their first game in 2012 and it’s at the Lincoln Financial Field; who wouldn’t like to make a gift to his home crowd? Believe me, the Eagles’ fans will enjoy a win over the Redskins more than a higher pick.

One more reason to try to win this game is Andy Reid’s job security. The coach was firmly on the hot seat four weeks ago, but three straight wins have cooled down the situation. A win tonight will lift the Eagles to an 8-8 record, and Reid will most likely return for one more season.

2) Jacksonville Jaguars

The 2011 NFL season didn’t go the way the Jaguars wanted to. Blaine Gabbert has not shown much ability to lead the franchise to better days. The release of David Garrard looks like an immature and early move by the front office.

With all that, the Jaguars stand at 4-11, probably as low as they could go.

The season finale finds them hosting the Manning-less Indianapolis Colts. Last year, the Jaguars fought hard, but the Colts were the ones who won the AFC South and went to the postseason.

The Jaguars took the game in Indiana and now they have a rare chance to go 2-0 against them in a season.

Jim Caldwell’s men have won two in a row and they won’t risk losing Andrew Luck for a meaningless victory. The Jaguars, on the other hand, can’t pick lower than seventh and they’ll probably get one of the top wide receivers (Blackmon, Floyd).

Maurice Jones-Drew leads all running backs in rushing yards and probably wants to take that title home. Gabbert must also be more effective tonight and show some promise for the future.

3) Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings may have lost Adrian Peterson, but they can still win. They host the Chicago Bears, a bitter rival who misses Jay Cutler and Matt Forte—their most important offensive players. After the blowout at Soldier Field (39-10), now it’s time for Minnesota to take revenge.

The Vikings’ draft status is not at risk. They get to pick third and can’t go lower than fourth. Since they don’t look to draft a quarterback, that’s no reason to hold back and they’ll definitely play to win tonight’s game.

Minnesota’s record is awful; only three wins out of 15 games. Leslie Frazier has been criticized for failing to improve on the 2010 record and many fans asked for his head on a platter. Nobody can tell how safe Frazier is, but he will feel a lot better with a win against the Bears.

Christian Ponder will miss the game, but Joe Webb is more than an adequate backup. He has performed ably every time he was given the chance and with Toby Gerhart in the backfield, the Vikes and their fans should be confident for a win.

4) Arizona Cardinals

Every time the Arizona Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks meet each other, you know it’s going to be a game full of intensity, and this one is no exception. Both teams have identical records (7-8) and want to avoid a losing season.

The Cards play at home and will give everything to close the season in style; beating a divisional rival and celebrating with their fans. They have won four of the last five games and only lost twice when playing at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Both Arizona and Seattle will get picks between No.10 and No.20, so the draft won’t be on their minds for this game. It’s just a matter of who wants it more, and Arizona has an extra reason to go full throttle:  The Seahawks won the first encounter, back in Week 3.

John Skelton will start again, with Kolb still having problems with his concussion.  The Cardinals announced that they’ll keep Kolb in 2012 but the questioning of his ability has already begun.

If Skelton can give a happy ending to this year’s campaign, he can also raise his odds for the starting job next season.