The Bucs won't rest starters, will play to win

[LinvilleGorge]

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/01/03/bruce-arians-buccaneers-will-play-to-win-not-rest-starters/

I figured this would be the case. You don't want to get complacent after very nearly losing to the Jets while having a starting WR rage quit mid-game.

[pantherj]

Yes! Beat the sh!t out of our losers we need to move up to find their replacements in the draft.

[uncfan888]

Their backups would probably beat us

[PNW_PantherMan]

Said this a few times but Tom Brady has never sat Week 17 (or the final week now) in his entire career.  Didn't expect him to start this season.

Edited January 3, 2022 by PNW_PantherMan

[CRA]

Tom Brady has never sat in his 57 year career the final game of a season.   Hope Rhule wasn’t betting on that 

[BrianS]

It only makes sense.  There are still three teams who could finish at 13-4, potentially going down to tiebreakers as the first seed.

Likewise, seeding is still up for grabs among four teams that could finish 12-5 potentially as seeds 2-5.

NFC Playoff picture is fairly clear as to who the participants are, but seeding is still very much a question.

Good.  That's what we want.  I don't want to win a meaningless game.

[Mr. Scot]

Wasn't expecting any different...

[t96]

1 minute ago, BrianS said:

It only makes sense.  There are still three teams who could finish at 13-4, potentially going down to tiebreakers as the first seed.

Likewise, seeding is still up for grabs among four teams that could finish 12-5 potentially as seeds 2-5.

NFC Playoff picture is fairly clear as to who the participants are, but seeding is still very much a question.

Good.  That's what we want.  I don't want to win a meaningless game.

You're kind of right. The Packers have officially clinched the 1 seed and most importantly the only bye in the NFC. We've seen coaches in the past rest starters even when seeding is up for grabs when the division isn't on the line and playoff byes aren't on the line. I didn't expect the Bucs to sit starters since that's not Arians' or Brady's MO, but they really are only playing for seeds 2-4 which some coaches may not see as mattering at all and not worth adding injuries to their already injured group. If a bye was up for grabs 100% you play for that, but there is a point where the potential benefits outweigh the injury risks, especially for a team like the Bucs who are already hurting all throughout their lineup.

[Waldo]

Great, now break Rhule's back in the last game and make it embarrassing. 

I miss caring about winning. At this point it's whatever it takes to clean house before anything else for me. 

[L-TownCat]

[TheProcess]

They NEED to win!  Yes the Packers have the bye and home field locked up, but they want that 2nd seed. They want home field until NFC Championship game, and probably need it without Godwin and AB, while also having a depleted secondary. Also, as the 2nd seed they would get home field in NFC championship if somebody beats the Packers. They definitely don't want the 4th seed and travel to the Packers early

[Billy Love]

I hope they beat the Antonio Brown out of us.

 

[Wanderlai]

How the game should go for us...

[SmokinwithWilly]

I hope they use us as a tune up game before the playoffs. I'd settle for an NFL record for points against. I know no member of the current roster really would want to be a part of that, but it might be the only way for them not to have to endure 17 more games of embarrassment next year.