Carter’s Corner: Six Things This Game Actually Changed For Both Teams

Looking for unsolicited sarcastic opinion pieces that are hypocritical in nature due to the writer’s constant criticism of a league that he still covers and enjoys? Welcome to Carter’s Corner!

This was a huge, meaningful game, with very large implications for both franchises moving forward. There were so many uplifting and heartbreaking moments, we all clung onto every snap of that pigskin as both teams battled it out in the Week 18 matchup of the Buccaneers and Falcons. 

Sarcasm aside, here are 6 things that this otherwise meaningless game actually changed for both teams. 

Single-Season Completions Record

The game featured Tom Brady playing the first quarter, I’m sure to break the single-season completions record held by… uh, Tom Brady. Who set it last year. Sigh. So this didn’t really change. 

The Falcons’ Draft Position

Ok, this actually changed. The Falcons could have secured a much higher pick by losing and going 6-11 for the year, as Carolina took down the Saints Sunday afternoon, but instead are either picking 7th or 8th depending on the rest of the games and the strength of schedule. 

Chris Godwin’s Career High In Receptions

Finally, something positive and impactful. Chris Godwin suffered a torn ACL last year, and while his season probably didn’t go quite as well as he would have hoped from a team perspective, his individual success has still been quite remarkable, especially in the context of the injury. 

Tom Brady’s Perfect Regular Season Record

A Tom Brady-led team had never gone below .500 in a season. Enter the 2022-2023 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They have been a pretty mediocre team all year, and their record now accurately shows it, division standings be damned. 

My Opinion Of Kyle Trask

My opinion of Kyle Trask has done a complete 180. I went from being somewhat indifferent about him to being… even more indifferent about him. I mean, he was playing with backups against a team that was playing some of their starters in a meaningless Week 18 matchup. Let’s not break our brains trying to think piece this performance. We still haven’t seen what he can do. 

In Reality, Nothing Important

This game was about as important as this article I’m writing. Nothing truly impactful changed, it was a waste of time for everyone, and we should all forget about it fairly quickly. 

Make sure you follow Carter on Twitter, read his work at Creative Loafing and check him out on the RBLR Sports Podcast.

The Bucs Report/Sports Talk Florida Postgame Show