From worst to first - the Buccaneers defied all NFL logic and reached the championship game in only their fourth season. Built around a league-best defense, the Bucs raced to 5-0 and then 9-3 before a late slide set up a final game rainy showdown with the Chiefs. Once in the post-season, they handled the Philadelphia Eagles despite being serious underdogs, before being shutout by the Los Angeles Rams at a delirious Tampa Stadium.

NFC EAST Dallas 11-5 Philadelphia 11-5 Washington 10-6 NY Giants 6-10 St.Louis 5-11 NFC CENTRAL Tampa Bay 10-6 Chicago 10-6 Minnesota 7-9 Green Bay 5-11 Detroit 2-14 NFC WEST LA Rams 9-7 New Orleans 8-8 Atlanta 6-10 San Francisco 2-14 WILD CARD Philadelphia 27 Chicago 17 DIVISIONAL GAMES Tampa Bay 27 Philadelphia 17 LA Rams 21 Dallas 19 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME LA Rams 9 Tampa Bay 0

AFC EAST Miami 10-6 New England 9-7 NY Jets 8-8 Buffalo 7-9 Baltimore 5-11 AFC CENTRAL Pittsburgh 12-4 Houston 11-5 Cleveland 9-7 Cincinnati 4-12 AFC WEST San Diego 12-4 Denver 10-6 Seattle 9-7 Oakland 9-7 Kansas City 7-9 WILD CARD Houston 13 Denver 7 DIVISIONAL GAMES Houston 17 San Diego 14 Pittsburgh 34 Miami 14 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME Pittsburgh 27 Houston 13

SUPER BOWL XIV at Pasadena, California Pittsburgh 31 LA Rams 19