1979 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season

Infobox NFL_season
team = Tampa Bay Buccaneers
year = 1979
record = 10-6
division_place = 1st NFC Central
coach = John McKay
stadium = Tampa Stadium
playoffs = L NFC championship game against Los Angeles RamsThe 1979 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season began with the team trying to improve on an 5-11 season. The team made the playoffs for the first time. The playoff spot was secured in week 16 in a rain-sodden game against the Kansas City Chiefs with the only score being a 19-yard field goal by Neil O'Donoghue. They then recorded their first ever playoff win against the Philadelphia Eagles thanks to 142 yards rushing by Ricky Bell. It is widely regarded as one of the biggest upsets in NFL history. The following week they hosted the NFC championship game but lost 9-0 to Los Angeles.

Offseason

NFL Draft

Playoffs

NFC Divisional Playoff

* Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24, Philadelphia Eagles 17Linescore Amfootball
Road=Eagles
R1=0
R2=7
R3=3
R4=7
RT=17
Home=Buccaneers
H1=7
H2=10
H3=0
H4=7
HT=24

"at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida"

*TV: CBS

The Buccaneers won their first playoff game in team history by holding the Eagles to 48 rushing yards, while running back Ricky Bell recorded 142 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns.

NFC Championship Game

* Los Angeles Rams 9, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0Linescore Amfootball
Road=Rams
R1=0
R2=6
R3=0
R4=3
RT=9
Home=Buccaneers
H1=0
H2=0
H3=0
H4=0
HT=0

"at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida"

*TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall and Tom Brookshier
*Referee: Pat Haggerty

Awards and honors

*Lee Roy Selmon, National Football League Defensive Player of the Year Award
*Lee Roy Selmon, NFL Defensive Lineman of the Year
*Lee Roy Selmon, Pro Bowl selection
*Lee Roy Selmon, All-Pro selection

References

* [http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/tam/1979.htm Buccaneers on Pro Football Reference]
* [http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/rosters.nsf/Annual/1979-tb 1979 Tampa Bay Buccaneers]
* [http://www.bucstats.com/index.php Bucstats.com]