The move wasn’t ever going to make everyone happy, but the Buccaneers choosing to play their starters in the final game of the season is the right idea.
Playing you starters in the final game of the regular season is something that people will always debate. With nothing on the line, it is fair to see why some Buccaneers fans are concerned about Tampa’s recent decision.
However, while not totally popular, the Bucs are doing the right thing.
Todd Bowles announced this week that the starters will play in the final game of the season in a meaningless (somewhat) affair versus the Atlanta Falcons. Good.
The #Buccaneers will play all their starters on Week 18 against the #Falcons, per Todd Bowles.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 2, 2023
Bucs basically don't have any reason to because their playoff spot is already set and won't be changed with a win or a loss.
This game may be meaningless from a stats perspective, but that doesn’t mean that the Bucs can’t accomplish something during the final affair of an overall-disappointing season.
Yes, players can get hurt, but the fear of injuries can’t be the only thing the team acts on this season. Injuries happen and are a part of every season. The Bucs need the reps more than they need to worry about injuries.
Regardless of who they draw as a first-round opponent, the Buccaneers will have their hands full in the playoffs. Every quality rep from this point going forward will help.
It may be a long shot, but maybe a few more runs on first down for no gain will be all it takes for Byron Leftwich to see the error in his ways. Maybe one more missed, 50-yard kick from Ryan Succop will cause Bowles to take this card out of his deck.
This staff being so hard-headed has hurt the team all season. One last chance to continue the positive offensive changes that we saw in last week’s win is not worth giving up in the fear of losing players to injuries.
Good on the Buccaneers for making this move.
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