NFL Week 17 Picks: Which Terrible Teams Have Zero Chance?

Not all matchups were created equal.

That saying certainly stands true in Week 17, when some of the league's worst teams will take on a few of the NFL's elite. 

Yes, both teams will take the field to play the game, but before they even do so, everyone knows how the game will end. Why? Because of the dominance of one team over their opponent—say the Green Bay Packers over the Indianapolis Colts.

However, no matter how exciting or boring a Packers beatdown of the Colts would be, the Colts won't be among the teams with no chance of winning in Week 17.

Let's find out which teams unfortunately find themselves on the list.

San Francisco at St. Louis

The San Francisco 49ers (12-3) have been one of the league's best teams and can lockup a first-round bye as the No. 2 seed in the NFC with a win in Week 17.

On the other hand, their NFC West rivals, the St. Louis Rams (2-13) are one of the teams fighting for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

In the final week of the regular season, these two teams will face each other and it won't be pretty. Expect the San Francisco defense, the best in the league in terms of points allowed, to crush the lifeless Rams offense, the worst in the league in terms of points scored.

Niners win, 24-3.

Pittsburgh at Cleveland

The Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4) are routinely one of the best teams in the NFL and 2011 is no different, they have a .733 winning percentage. But heading into the playoffs, their star quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, is a bit gimpy with an ankle injury.

Regardless, the Steelers are a much better team than the Cleveland Browns (4-11), even if Charlie Batch is starting at quarterback for Pittsburgh. 

The Browns have the 29th-ranked offense in the league and are now playing with their backup quarterback as well, Seneca Wallace. The Steelers defense? Only first overall in pass defense and ninth in rush defense. That stacks up to first overall in yards given up and second in points allowed.

Steelers win, 21-7.

Tampa Bay at Atlanta

While the Atlanta Falcons (9-6) haven't made the jump into the upper-echelon of the NFC like many people have been waiting for, they are still a very good team with a lot to prove after being blown out by the New Orleans Saints, 45-16, on Monday Night Football.

Like the Falcons, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers haven't made the jump into the NFL elite, like they were expected to—they fell.

Quarterback Josh Freeman has only thrown for 14 touchdowns to go with his 19 interceptions, after throwing 25 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2010.

The Bucs defense has also been subject to multiple injuries, most notably to defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and cornerback Aqib Talib who are both on injured reserve.

Heading into the playoffs, the Falcons have more incentive than ever to get a win and start the postseason off on the right foot.

Falcons win, 38-17.

Dallas at New York (Giants)

The New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys will both be fighting for the NFC East crown when they face off in Week 17 but only one will come out on top and the answer is fairly obvious.

The Cowboys will be playing with an injured Tony Romo who suffered a bruised right hand against the Philadelphia Eagles last week. Already missing running back DeMarco Murray, the offense will be very subdued. And that's before the Giants defensive line even takes a step on the field.

Jason Pierre-Paul has 15.5 sacks on the season and is becoming one of the best defensive ends in the NFL. He is also lined up alongside two of the league's other top lineman—Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora. Those three men have combined for 26.5 sacks and 189 yards lost. They will be huge in this game and they will lead the Giants to victory. 

Giants win, 30-7.

Buffalo at New England

Despite a great start to the season, the Buffalo Bills (6-9), have fallen back down to Earth. The Bills have had a very average offense, 13th in the league in terms of points, ever since running back Fred Jackson went down with an injury.

In terms of points, their defense has now dropped to 27th in the league. Yes, they just beat the Denver Broncos, but the New England Patriots are a very different team.

The New England Patriots have the best offense in the league and they aren't afraid to use it. Expect Tom Brady to get the offense down the field quickly on Sunday when the Pats head to Buffalo.

Patriots win, 33-17.