1982 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season

Infobox NFL_season
team = Tampa Bay Buccaneers
year = 1982
record = 5-4
division_place = 7th NFC
coach = John McKay
stadium = Tampa Stadium
playoffs = L 1st round against Dallas CowboysThe 1982 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season began with the team trying to improve on an 9-7 season, having made the playoffs 2 of the last 3 years. The season was shortened by a players stike. Tampa Bay resumed play with an 0-2 record after two close losses, and made it 0-3 with a 9-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. But then the Bucs gave birth to their 1982 nickname, The Cardiac Kids, so named for their ability to secure victory from the most unlikely and improbable of situations. The played their next game on Monday Night Football against the Miami Dolphins and won on a strong running game, starting a streak of 5 wins in their last 6 games. The final margin of victories were only 6,3,1,2, and 3 points. Against the Buffalo Bills, they only secured the win after Lee Roy Selmon Hall of Fame Defensive end, caused a fumble on the Bucs 26 yard line with only minutes left in the game with Tampa leading by 1. Placekicker Bill Capece kicked game winning Field Goals over Detroit and Chicago in the last two games of the season at Tampa Stadium after trailing in both games by double digits. They lost to the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 1982 playoffs where they were the victims of some controversial calls by the officials. This was the last year Tampa Bay would appear in the playoffs with their Orange Uniforms, and with the loss of QB Doug Williams to the USFL, the start of 14 straight losing seasons, including 13 with double digit loss.

Offseason

NFL Draft

Playoffs

NFC First Round

* Dallas Cowboys 30, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17Linescore Amfootball
Road=Buccaneers
R1=0
R2=10
R3=7
R4=0
RT=17
Home=Cowboys
H1=6
H2=7
H3=3
H4=14
HT=30

"at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas"
*Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST/3:00 p.m. CST
*TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall and John Madden

The Cowboys had 445 yards of total offense, while their defense held Buccaneers quarterback Doug Williams to just 8 of 28 completions for 113 yards and intercepted him 3 times. Dallas running back Tony Dorsett rushed for 110 yards, while kicker Rafael Septien made 3 field goals.

Awards and honors

* Lee Roy Selmon, All-Pro selection
* Lee Roy Selmon, Pro Bowl selection
* Lee Roy Selmon, Co-Pro Bowl Most Valuable Player

References

* [http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/tam/1982.htm Buccaneers on Pro Football Reference]