Game 176. Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh
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Tag Archives: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Game 165. Tampa Bay at Oakland
1997 Game 231 (Week 17) Chicago at Tampa Bay
Bears take down the Buccaneers!
It’s been a disappointing season for the Chicago Bears, but they ended the season on a high note as they defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Houlahan Stadium Sunday, 20-17, in the season finale.
The Bears blocked a Sean Landeta punt with 1:30 remaining in the 4th quarter that set the Bears up at the Buccaneer 12-yard line. A few plays later, Darnell Autry plunged into the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown with 15 seconds remaining to give the Bears the victory.
Autry rushed for 63 yards on the day on 22 carries and scored the game-winning touchdown. QB Eric Kramer was knocked out of the game early in the 4th quarter. He finished 11 of 19 passing for 107 yards with a TD and an INT. Rick Mirer came in and directed the Bears to the final TD. He was three of six for 19 yards on the day.
The Buccaneers finished the season with a 10-6 record and are the sixth seed in the NFC playoffs. They will travel to either Washington or San Francisco in the Wildcard round next weekend. The Bears won two of their last three games but finished up with a 3-13 record.
1997 Game 219 (Week 16) Tampa Bay at NY Jets
Buccaneers secure playoff birth
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers haven’t been in the playoffs since 1982 in the strike shortened season. They snapped that streak when they defeated the New York Jets, 23-9, on Sunday at Giants Stadium.
The Buccaneers’ defense was the story on Sunday. They held the Jets’ potent running attack to just 45 yards. They also did a number on QB Neil O’Donnell, who came into the game without throwing an interception this season. On O’Donnell’s 403rd throw of the season in the second quarter of week 16, he threw his first interception of the season to Donnie Abraham. O’Donnell’s 402 attempts without an interception is an NFL record.
In fact, late in the fourth quarter, O’Donnell threw his second interception which thwarted a Jet scoring drive and a chance to tighten up the game. O’Donnell was 19 of 38 passing for 218 yards and the two interceptions.
As for the Buccaneers, they finally got their running game going. They rushed for 139 yards on the day and controlled the clock. RB Warrick Dunn rushed for 88 yards and a touchdown, which sealed the game. Mike Alstott rushed for 51 yards on 14 carries.
The Buccaneers have secured a spot in the NFC playoffs with the victory today and they will end their season at home against Chicago. With the loss, the Jets do not control their own destiny for the final playoff spot in the AFC. They need to win their final game at Detroit and hope Seattle loses one of its final two games against Oakland (today) and San Francisco (next week).
Game 146. Cleveland at Tampa Bay
Game 131. Tampa Bay at N.Y. Jets
Game 121. Tampa Bay at Denver
Game 107. Kansas City at Tampa Bay
Game 97. Miami at Tampa Bay
1997 Game 199 (Week 15) Green Bay at Tampa Bay
Packers sweep the Buccaneers
The World Champion Green Bay Packers flexed their muscles Sunday afternoon in Houlihan Stadium as they swept the season series with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 24-9, and are now one win away from their third consecutive NFC Central crown.
The Packers’ defense abused the Bucs and held them to just 147 total yards on the day. All-Pro defensive end Reggie White sacked Buccaneer QB Trent Dilfer and knocked him out of the game early in the third quarter. Then Steve Walsh came in the game, and he immediately intercepted by rookie FS Darren Sharper, who returned the interception 79 yards for the game-clinching touchdown.
Brett Favre and the Packers offense rolled up 388 yards of total offense but struggled doing it. Favre threw for 244 yards on 22 of 36 passing with two touchdowns but was intercepted twice. WR Antonio Freeman caught seven passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns.
Dorsey Levens had a big day against the tough Buccaneer defense. He rushed for 104 yards on 27 carries. Altogether, the Packers rushed for 148 yards on the day.
The Packers (13-1) will try to win the NFC North crown next Sunday in Carolina, while the Buccaneers (9-5) will travel to the Big Apple to take on the Jets.