Why We Care: To be honest, the level of caring surrounding this game is at a minimal. Neither team is playoff bound and the only real effect this game will have on either team is the determination of a few selections higher in the 2008 draft. Knowing that the final score of the game means very little, we've got a couple of things you can watch for after the jump as well as Brian Westbrook audio.
Detroit Lions 7-8 (3rd in NFC North) Green Bay Packers 12-3 (1st in NFC North)
Last Game:
Lions 25, Chiefs 20 Bears 35, Packers 7
When the Lions have the ball: They'll surprise you by running the ball more than you'd expect. Mike Martz has already told T.J. Duckett to have an oxygen mask handy for the week since he'll be getting the ball plenty. In the cold conditions at Green Bay, passing the ball a ton won't be much of an option for the Lions who only attempted 16 passes last week. Perhaps it's a luxury to have a bruiser like Duckett available to carry the load.
When the Packers have the ball: Who knows? They've already locked up the second spot in the NFC playoffs, so they're likely to rest many of their starters. Brett Favre will start to keep his streak alive, but he probably won't play most of the game. The same can likely be said for Ryan Grant, Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, and many of the regulars on offense. What they do remains a mystery to me, though I'll guess they run the ball for the most part.
San Diego Chargers 10-5 (1st in AFC West) Oakland Raiders 4-11 (t-3rd in AFC West)
Last Game:
Chargers 23, Broncos 3 Jaguars 49, Raiders 11
When the Chargers have the ball: They'll give it to LaDainian Tomlinson and hope for the big plays he's been delivering. LT has reasserted himself as the top back in the game, rushing for over 100 yards in each of the last four games, scoring six touchdowns in the process. With the Chargers playing good defense, the offense hasn't needed to throw the ball much over the last month, keeping Philip Rivers at 25 or fewer attempts for the most part.
When the Raiders have the ball: They'll try to run the ball so that it's not up to JaMarcus Russell to make the big plays. Getting the first start of his career, it will no doubt be a rocky game for Russell who only completed 7 of 23 passes. Luckily with it being the final week of a lost season, the Raiders will probably let Russell throw the ball plenty, they'll just use the run to ease the pressure on him.
San Francisco 49ers 5-10 (4th in NFC West) Cleveland Browns 9-6 (2nd in AFC North)
Last Game:
49ers 21, Bucs 19 Bengals 19, Browns 14
When the Niners have the ball: They'll run the ball with Frank Gore, and stick to short -- and I mean short -- passes. Chris Weinke will be getting the nod at QB, making him the 4th quarterback to start for San Francisco this year. The Niners don't have many play-making receivers to begin with, and it's not like they're going to ask Weinke to make big plays in his first start for them. They'll keep it simple and run the ball.
When the Browns have the ball: They'll employ their hearty balance of Jamal Lewis and their aerial attack. Derek Anderson had a slow day last week throwing four interceptions against the Bengals to blow Cleveland's chance at locking up a playoff spot. He'll most certainly look to rebound, as long as the weather permits him to throw several passes. You can bet they'll be looking in Braylon Edwards' direction considering he's averaged a touchdown a game this year.
Why We Care: Traditionally, games between these two division rivals have come down to the wire, so long as David Carr isn't involved. However, the Bucs are locked into the #4 seed in the playoffs, and after injuries to Maurice Stovall and Greg White last Sunday in San Francisco, Jon Gruden put his starters on the bench for this one. For the Panthers, team owner Jerry Richardson has said John Fox's job is safe, but there's this theory floating around that he needs one more win to save his job. So you have one team that cares playing another team that probably doesn't, despite what they tell the press.
2007 Records: Dallas Cowboys: 13-2 (NFC East Champions) Washington Redskins: 8-7 (3rd in NFC East)
Last Week: Cowboys 20, Panthers 13 Redskins 32, Vikings 21
Why We Care: Well, it is the Cowboys-Redskins. Plus, a Redskins win puts them in the playoffs. If Washington loses this game, they need the Saints and Vikings to lose to guarantee a postseason berth.
2007 Records: Cincinnati Bengals: 6-9 (3rd in AFC North) Miami Dolphins: 1-14 (4th in AFC East)
Last Week: Bengals 19, Browns 14 Patriots 28, Dolphins 7
Why We Care: For the outsider, nothing really. For fan of the two teams, it will be the last time we will see alot of the familiar faces. Miami has Bill Parcells ready to gut this franchise, so who knows who will be back. As for the Bengals, this horrible season has to be dealt with in some manner ... so a franchise guy or two may not be there in 2008. Oh, and there is the face-to-face between Levi Jones and Joey Porter since their tussle in Vegas.
That being said, I am guessing on the intensity scale there still will be plenty. With limited NFL rosters, there are only so many guys you can sit. The game is likely going to be plenty contentious because the Texans and the Jaguars don't like each other very much. The Texans are playing for their first .500 season, don't want to go into the offseason with back-to-back losses, and likely Mario Williams is looking to become the NFL sack leader in this game.
Lions 25, Chiefs 20 Titans 10, Jets 6 When the Chiefs have the ball: There's some good news as it looks like Brodie Croyle will be healthy enough to play on Sunday. Good news is relative when discussing the K.C. offense, of course, but with Croyle in line to start next season every little bit of preparation helps the cause. Despite their miserable record, the Jets defense won't provide an easy opponent. They've been much better since the bye and did yeoman's work in last week's loss. They are still vulnerable to the run but the Chief offensive line hasn't offered much space for Kolby Smith or anyone else to operate. The more aggressive Jets can put some heat on Croyle and could force some mistakes if he looks to make the big play.
To get you ready for week 17, 
To get you ready for week 17, 
To get you ready for week 17, 
To get you ready for Week 17, 
To get you ready for Week 17, 
To get you ready for Week 17, 
To get you ready for Week 17, 
To get you ready for week 17, 
