It couldn't have come quickly enough for the Raiders.

* Oakland vs. New York Jets
Sunday, December 31, 2006. 10:00 AM, PST.
Week 17
The Battle Of Motivation

In Week 17, with nothing left to play for, some guys on the Raiders will be playing to show other teams what they can do.

Some guys will be playing for pride.

Some guys will be out on that field just 'cause it's their job.

Some guys, we'd like to think, will play hard for love of playing the game.

It's a tough thing to watch each year at season's end: when the games become meaningless, some guys will still be fighting, and some guys won't.

The New York Jets, on the other hand, can get into the playoffs with a win.

Baby-faced Head Coach Eric Mangini has had this mixed bag of players overperforming all season long, and now they may well make it into the postseason in his rookie year.