The 57-day player strike arrived just in time for the Buccaneers. 0-3 at one point in the season, "The Cardiac Kids" began a winning streak on Monday Night Football against the Dolphins and wound up in the enlarged post-season tournament. Three last-minute victories got the Bucs in, although all five of their regular season wins were secured in last seconds. The playoff run was one in done however as the Bucs fell to the Cowboys 17-16 in the first round of the expanded post-season tournament.
NFC STANDINGSWashington8-1Dallas6-3Green Bay5-3-1Minnesota5-4Atlanta5-4St.Louis5-4Tampa Bay5-4Detroit4-5New Orleans4-5NY Giants4-5San Francisco3-6Chicago3-6Philadelphia3-6LA Rams2-71st ROUNDWashington 31 Detroit 7Green Bay 41 St.Louis 16Minnesota 30 Atlanta 24Dallas 30 Tampa Bay 172nd ROUNDWashington 21 Minnesota 7Dallas 37 Green Bay 26 CHAMPIONSHIP GAMEWashington 31 Dallas 17
AFC STANDINGSLA Raiders8-1Miami7-2Cincinnati7-2Pittsburgh6-3San Diego6-3NY Jets6-3New England4-5Cleveland4-5Buffalo4-5Seattle4-5Kansas City3-6Denver2-7Houston1-8Baltimore0-8-11st ROUNDMiami 28 New England 13LA Raiders 27 Cleveland 10NY Jets 44 Cincinnati 17San Diego 31 Pittsburgh 282nd ROUNDNY Jets 17 LA Raiders 14Miami 34 San Diego 13CHAMPIONSHIP GAMEMiami 14 MY Jets 0
SUPER BOWL XVII at Pao Alto, California Washington 27 Miami 17