Who's Playing for What?

Anyone whose fantasy football team is still alive in week 17 (like the People's Pigskin) has to have done something right. But anyone in that situation also has to handle this week right, too.
That's because, to paraphrase the little boy in "The Ten Commandments," this week is different from all other weeks. Some teams are fighting for their lives. Some teams are fighting to get out the door. And some teams are sitting back and waiting for the postseason to get started. Here's a brief look at which teams are in which situations.
TEAMS WITH EVERYTHING AT STAKE
For the Seattle Seahawks and the St. Louis Rams, the situation is simple: Win, and you're in. These two teams play each other in the most unlikely Sunday night finale conceivable.
Things are a little more complex for the Indianapolis Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars, but they are both eligible for the AFC South title, and both can make life easier for themselves by winning.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Giants and Green Bay Packers are alive for the wild card spot that won't go to the Falcons or Saints. It's safe to say all three teams will use their starters as much as possible.
TEAMS WITH SOMETHING AT STAKE
There are two subcategories in this category. First, there are the teams that have clinched playoff berths but can still make life easier for themselves with a win. The Chicago Bears have wrapped up a bye week but can still earn homefield advantage in the NFC with a win and some help. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens are still fighting for the AFC North title and a bye week. The Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans are fighting for the NFC South title (and, in the case of the Falcons, at least, homefield advantage).
The other subcategory is teams whose coaches are in real danger of getting canned. If the Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans want to hang on to their coaches, pulling an upset in the season finale would help.
TEAMS WITH NOTHING AT STAKE
These teams truly run the gamut. You have the New England Patriots, who have wrapped up the number 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. And then you have the Carolina Panthers, who have wrapped up a number 1 seed of their own -- in the NFL draft.
You have three teams who have clinched playoff berths but can't really help themselves this Sunday by playing their starters: The New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.
For four teams (the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos), the "win one for the coach" factor is moot, because their coaches have already been fired.
And then there are the teams eliminated from the postseason and will be playing only for pride, and perhaps a chance to get a bigger role in next year's lineup: the Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals. That doesn't necessarily mean the Chargers will bench Philip Rivers or anything. It's just that these teams may give some backups a longer look than they would otherwise, and the starters' statistics could suffer as a result.
Remember to vote in the polls on the right. We need your helping beating the Fighting Amish and winning the People's League championship. We'll be back.