I learned this lesson years ago when the Saints inexplicably made a heroic comeback to beat the Bucs in the last game of the season back in '14. We were mathematically eliminated and the Bucs stood to gain the #1 overall pick with a loss. Saints are down 20-7 at halftime. Seems like a good time to pull your starters and get ready for next year. Get a better draft pick and regroup. No sense in giving a division opponent the #1 pick, risk injury to Drew and co., and hurt your draft position right? Wrong. Saints mount a comeback for the ages and win a nail biter 23-20.
So after the game I was like, what was that all about? That wasn't ideal because it cost us draft spots and gave them #1 overall. People came at me like spider monkeys on speed. They came at me like I had said the most controversial thing ever. Like I had uttered blasphemy. Something like Archie being vastly overrated. Anyway, I learned my lesson. Meaningless wins late in the year mean the world to a lot of people. They don't care about having a great pick in the blue chip range. They don't see the difference between the 6th pick and the 16th pick. Just win baby! Who cares about the draft?! Who cares about the future?!
Some fans would be happy with a win in the last game of the season even if it cost the Saints the #1 overall pick with the greatest QB prospect in history about to enter the draft. Different strokes for different strokes. I personally see improved draft position as infinitely more valuable than some random late season win in a lame duck season. But who am I? I'm just a fan. What do I know about anything? The last three times the Saints had picks inside the top 10 they came away with Johnathan Sullivan, Reggie Bush, and Sedrick Ellis. It's been a mixed bag I guess. No guarantees.