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 EASTDallas11-5Philadelphia11-5Washington10-6NY Giants6-10St.Louis5-11NFC CENTRALTampa Bay10-6Chicago10-6Minnesota7-9Green Bay5-11Detroit2-14NFC WESTLA Rams9-7New Orleans8-8Atlanta6-10San Francisco2-14WILD CARDPhiladelphia 27 Chicago 17DIVISIONAL GAMESTampa Bay 27 Philadelphia 17LA Rams 21 Dallas 19CHAMPIONSHIP GAMELA Rams 9 Tampa Bay 0
AFC EASTMiami10-6New England9-7NY Jets8-8Buffalo7-9Baltimore5-11AFC CENTRALPittsburgh12-4Houston11-5Cleveland9-7Cincinnati4-12AFC WESTSan Diego 12-4Denver10-6Seattle9-7Oakland9-7Kansas City7-9WILD CARDHouston 13 Denver 7DIVISIONAL GAMESHouston 17 San Diego 14Pittsburgh 34 Miami 14CHAMPIONSHIP GAMEPittsburgh 27 Houston 13
SUPER BOWL XIV at Pasadena, CaliforniaPittsburgh 31 LA Rams 19