Could do a Raven's Anecdote, but here's one from the Bears.
Year's back the Bears were eliminated from the playoffs under Lovie Smith. They entered the last game of the season vs. Minnesota, 7-8, with no chance to make the playoffs. The difference that year between 7-9 and 8-8 was about 8 positions in the Draft Order.
The Bears played their starters and near the end of the game Brian Urlacher was inexplicably in and injured. The Bears won and drafted 19th. They took Shea McCellin. A loss and they would have had the 11th pick and Urlacher struggled the next year due to missing camp and was never appreciated/the same again.
You can root for your team short term, (To Win an individual game), or you can root for your team long term, (To establish a playoff presence). I prefer the latter. Some coaches prefer being perceived as not suffering a losing record. In the end, some believe, you have to honestly evaluate where your team is and what your ability to improve it is. Some coaches over estimate their influence to improve a team. That issue hits very close to home.
By the way, the Bears drafted Alshon Jefferey in the 2nd round that year. They did let him get away. The bears have really never recovered from seeking that win in 2012.