NFC EASTAFC EASTNY Giants 11-5New England10-6Washington10-6Miami9-7Dallas9-7Buffalo5-11Philadelphia5-11NY Jets4-12NFC NORTHAFC NORTHChicago11-5Cincinnati11-5Minnesota9-7Pittsburgh11-5Detroit5-11Baltimore6-10Green Bay4-12Cleveland 6-10NFC SOUTHAFC SOUTHTampa Bay11-5Indianapolis14-2Carolina11-5Jacksonville12-4Atlanta8-8Tennessee4-12New Orleans3-13Houston2-14NFC WESTAFC WESTSeattle13-3Denver13-3St.Louis6-10Kansas City10-6Arizona5-11San Diego9-7San Francisco3-13Oakland4-12WILD CARD GAMESWILD CARD GAMESWashington 17 Tampa Bay 10New England 28 Jacksonville 3Carolina 23 NY Giants 0Pittsburgh 31 Cincinnati 27DIVISIONAL GAMESDIVISIONAL GAMESSeattle 20 Washington 10Denver 27 New England 13Carolina 29 Chicago 21Pittsburgh 21 Indianapolis 18NFC CHAMPIONSHIPAFC CHAMPIONSHIPSeattle 34 Carolina 14Pittsburgh 34 Denver 17SUPER BOWL XL at Ford Field, DetroitPittsburgh 21 Seattle 10
The 2005 season saw the Bucs return to the playoffs for the first time in three years as a series of narrow victories coming off the back of a 4-0 start saw a second NFC South Division title for Jon Gruden's team. Rookie Cadillac Williams had an immediate impact on the offense and it was a real surprise when the Bucs fell at the first playoff hurdle at home to the Washington Redskins. Chris Simms had replaced the injured Brian Griese at quarterback and his deep ball combination with Joey Galloway led the Buccaneers during the second half of the season.