NFC EAST AFC EAST NY Giants 11-5 New England 10-6 Washington 10-6 Miami 9-7 Dallas 9-7 Buffalo 5-11 Philadelphia 5-11 NY Jets 4-12 NFC NORTH AFC NORTH Chicago 11-5 Cincinnati 11-5 Minnesota 9-7 Pittsburgh 11-5 Detroit 5-11 Baltimore 6-10 Green Bay 4-12 Cleveland 6-10 NFC SOUTH AFC SOUTH Tampa Bay 11-5 Indianapolis 14-2 Carolina 11-5 Jacksonville 12-4 Atlanta 8-8 Tennessee 4-12 New Orleans 3-13 Houston 2-14 NFC WEST AFC WEST Seattle 13-3 Denver 13-3 St.Louis 6-10 Kansas City 10-6 Arizona 5-11 San Diego 9-7 San Francisco 3-13 Oakland 4-12 WILD CARD GAMES WILD CARD GAMES Washington 17 Tampa Bay 10 New England 28 Jacksonville 3 Carolina 23 NY Giants 0 Pittsburgh 31 Cincinnati 27 DIVISIONAL GAMES DIVISIONAL GAMES Seattle 20 Washington 10 Denver 27 New England 13 Carolina 29 Chicago 21 Pittsburgh 21 Indianapolis 18 NFC CHAMPIONSHIP AFC CHAMPIONSHIP Seattle 34 Carolina 14 Pittsburgh 34 Denver 17 SUPER BOWL XL at Ford Field, Detroit Pittsburgh 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.