Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterback Tom Brady to Start in Week 18

You just can't keep Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady off the field. Head coach Todd Bowles revealed at a Tuesday press conference that the 45-year-old passer will start in Week 18 against the Atlanta Falcons.

Todd Bowles says Tom Brady will start in Atlanta. If he comes out, Blaine Gabbert would be next in. Bowles said Kyle Trask has a good chance to be active for the game and would go in if Gabbert comes out.
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) January 4, 2023

The Bucs have clinched the NFC South and are locked into the four seed, so there was some question about whether or not they'd rest their starters. There remains a distinct possibility Brady will only play for a few drives before being pulled.

It could be argued that Week 18 is a meaningless game for the Bucs, but it may not be for Brady. At 8-8, the Bucs risk finishing with a losing record if they hand the Falcons an easy win. Brady has never finished with a losing record in his 20 previous seasons as his team's leading passer.