Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars have their reasons for a win this Sunday – NFL Preview
The Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars are playing their very last game of the current regular season of the National Football League (NFL) into Week 17 at EverBank Field Stadium this Sunday.
Both teams are going into the game in a situation quite different to other ties on the weekend, as inspite of their claims that they will be playing for a must win it will not affect their standing in the league’s overall score. They have already failed
to qualify for the playoff round, with no chance whatsoever for a division title.
However, they have reasons and motivational factors of their own to play for a victory. The Colts, for example, having gone down to 0-13 earlier in the season, would like to finish the season on the winning note.
There are concerns among their fans that a win will affect the Colts chance for a top draft prize next season and certain quarters have even set unexpressed hopes that their side lose their last game to make it sure that the top draft pick was theirs.
The team owner, management and players however reiterated that they were going into the game for a must win.
"That's not for the players to worry about," running back Joseph Addai said. "I don't worry about that. I just go out and keep playing ball."
Andrew Luck, the Stanford College’s quarterback, has been projected as the top draft prize next year and the Indianapolis Colts having lost a majority of their games are eligible for him.
A win over the Jacksonville Jaguars might affect their right to sign Luck, as the St. Louis Rams who too are with the score of 2-13 can become the most deserving candidates for Luck.
Irrespective to the team management assurance of playing for a win it is yet to be seen how well they perform on the weekend. A result will then determine their course to next draft season.
The Jacksonville Jaguars meanwhile have many factors to play their Colts game for a must win. Their players have pledged to go and win to see off their outgoing owner Wayne Weaver in a befitting manner.
Weaver sold the franchise to Pakistan-born American businessman Shahid Khan in a $760 deal on November 29, 2011, and the weekend’s tie is his last game with the team. Mr. Khan takes over the Jaguars formally on January 04, 2012.
"Mr. and Mrs. Weaver mean a lot to this city, and our fans and our players know that, our coaches know that," interim coach Mel Tucker said. "We want to put our best foot forward in their last game. Quite frankly, we'll give everything we can for them to
finish on a high note."
A win will also improve their score to 5-11 in the league’s overall standings. It will provide the team players with the motivational factor to aim for the next season’s preparation.
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