"He's throwing down the gauntlet to Todd Bowles" – Skip Bayless blasts Tom Brady for comments on Week 18 availability
Tom Brady's Tampa Bay Buccaneers clinched the fourth seed in the NFC this past Sunday after they won the NFC South with a victory over the Carolina Panthers. This has led to the question of whether the team would rest some of their key players in the upcoming game. A comment on this issue from Tom Brady has drawn the censure of Skip Bayless.
At 8-8, the Bucs are locked in as the fourth-seed and regardless of whether or not they win or lose this weekend, they will remain in that position.
Inspite of a chance to rest their starters ahead of the home playoff game next Sunday, the Bucs seem to be ready to play them in their finale vs. the Atlanta Falcons.
Quarterback Tom Brady said after Sunday's victory over the Panthers that he would be bothered if the team decided to sit him. He stated that he wants to keep the rhythm going.
On Undisputed, analyst Skip Bayless disagreed with Brady's take and thinks the Bucs should rest their players and get healthy for the playoffs.
"I did consider this game against Carolina, what I have called my whole career hat and T-shirt game. It's for the division and you do get your what are their T-shirts? I'd be embarrassed to put that on. Unless you are General Sherman, maybe you could wear that T-shirt. So they get their hats and they get their T-shirts but more important, I thought they were going to get their quote unquote 'bye.'"
Bayless continued:
"And yet, right out of the box on Sunday evening or Sunday after the game, Tom Brady says it would bother me if I don't play, it would bother you. Okay, well that he's throwing down the gauntlet to Todd Bowles like I'm gonna be bothered if you say I can't play."
Bayless added that it's more important for the Bucs to get healthy.
"They can get healthier. And that to me is more precious right now than a practice game... You can't throw Brady out there unless you make all the linemen go out there. Right. You can't do backups."
.@RealSkipBayless on the Bucs playing their starters in Week 18:
"I don't get what they're doing here, I disagree with this. This aging and injured team needs a week off to get ready for the playoffs." https://t.co/RZbhdtyn1I
Tom Brady and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will either host Philadelphia Eagles or Dallas Cowboys on wildcard weekend
Whoever it may be, the Buccaneers will have a tough challenge as they would either be hosting the Dallas Cowboys or Philadelphia Eagles on Wildcard weekend.
Whichever team of the two doesn't win the NFC East will face the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay.
As mentioned above, the outcome of Tampa Bay's game won't affect seeding and it's likely that they will pull starters out at some point in the game.
Whether it's Dallas or Philly, they will be the favorites to beat the Bucs, but you can never count out a playoff team led by Tom Brady.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit Undisputed, and H/T Sportskeeda