The
1999 season was the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South divisio ...
' 24th in the
National Football League
The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league that consists of 32 teams, divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The NFL is one of the ...
(NFL). The season began with the team trying to improve on an 8–8 season, and return to the postseason after narrowly missing the playoffs in
1998
1998 was designated as the ''International Year of the Ocean''.
Events January
* January 6 – The '' Lunar Prospector'' spacecraft is launched into orbit around the Moon, and later finds evidence for frozen water, in soil in permanently ...
. Rookie
Shaun King
Jeffery Shaun King (born September 17, 1979) is an American writer, civil rights activist and co-founder of Real Justice PAC. King uses social media to promote social justice causes, including the Black Lives Matter movement.
King was raised ...
replaced the injured and inconsistent
Trent Dilfer
Trent Farris Dilfer (born March 13, 1972) is a former American football quarterback and analyst who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He is best known as the starting quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens during their Su ...
late in the season. King helped rebound the team to their first
NFC Central
The National Football Conference – Northern Division or NFC North is one of the four divisions of the National Football Conference (NFC) in the National Football League (NFL). Nicknamed the "Black and Blue Division" for the rough and tough ri ...
title in 18 years. The team won 10 out of 12 games at one point in the season, including a then-franchise-record six game winning streak. The defensive side dominated the team, nine times holding opponents to 10 or fewer points. However, offensive output while adequate, was often unspectacular - case in point, a 6–3 win over
Chicago
(''City in a Garden''); I Will
, image_map =
, map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago
, coordinates =
, coordinates_footnotes =
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name ...
in October. Tampa Bay finished the season 11-5 (their best record in the
Tony Dungy
Anthony Kevin Dungy ( ; born October 6, 1955) is an American former football safety and coach who served as a head coach in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts. Dungy's teams be ...
era).
After earning a first round bye in the playoffs, the Buccaneers won their first divisional round playoff game since
1979
Events
January
* January 1
** United Nations Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim heralds the start of the ''International Year of the Child''. Many musicians donate to the ''Music for UNICEF Concert'' fund, among them ABBA, who write the song ...
, also their first playoff game hosted at
Raymond James Stadium
Raymond James Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Tampa, Florida that opened in 1998 and is home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL) and the University of South Florida (USF) Bulls college football program. The se ...
. Tampa Bay rallied from a 13–0 deficit and defeated
Washington
Washington commonly refers to:
* Washington (state), United States
* Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States
** A metonym for the federal government of the United States
** Washington metropolitan area, the metropolitan area centered on ...
14–13 to advanced to the conference championship. Leading 6–5 late in the
NFC Championship
The NFC Championship Game is the annual championship game of the National Football Conference (NFC) and one of the two semi-final playoff games of the National Football League (NFL), the largest professional American football league in the world. ...
game against the
Rams
In engineering, RAMS (reliability, availability, maintainability and safety)Ricky Proehl
Richard Scott Proehl (born March 7, 1968) is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. Proehl played 17 seasons with the Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, St. Louis Rams, Carolina Panth ...
touchdown. With less than a minute remaining, a controversial instant replay reversal of a catch by
Bert Emanuel foiled their hopes at an
upset victory and a trip to
Super Bowl XXXIV.
Offseason
NFL draft
Personnel
Staff
Roster
Regular season
Schedule
Standings
Game summaries
Week 1: New York Giants (lost 13–17)
Quarterback
Trent Dilfer
Trent Farris Dilfer (born March 13, 1972) is a former American football quarterback and analyst who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He is best known as the starting quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens during their Su ...
threw three interceptions (2 returned for touchdowns), and lost one fumble in a pitiful individual performance against the
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Giants compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) East division. ...
. Despite the Buccaneer defense holding the Giants to only 91 yards passing, 28 yards rushing, and only 4 first downs, the Giants scored 17 points off of turnovers. Coach
Tony Dungy
Anthony Kevin Dungy ( ; born October 6, 1955) is an American former football safety and coach who served as a head coach in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts. Dungy's teams be ...
pulled Dilfer in favor of
Eric Zeier
Eric Royce Zeier (born September 6, 1972) is a former American football quarterback. In his six years in the NFL, he played for the Cleveland Browns (1995), Baltimore Ravens (1996–1998), and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1999–2000). He is a for ...
, who did not fare well either.
Week 2: at Philadelphia Eagles (won 19–5)
Tampa Bay sacked rookie
Donovan McNabb
Donovan Jamal McNabb (born November 25, 1976) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for thirteen seasons, primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles. Before his NFL career, he played football and b ...
six times, and recorded nine sacks overall as Tampa Bay won their first game of the 1999 season.
Trent Dilfer
Trent Farris Dilfer (born March 13, 1972) is a former American football quarterback and analyst who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He is best known as the starting quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens during their Su ...
threw two touchdown passes, and the Buccaneers rushed for over 150 yards.
Week 3: Denver Broncos (won 13–10)
Mike Alstott
Michael Joseph Alstott (born December 21, 1973), is a former American football fullback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Nicknamed "A-Train", he played college football at Purdue an ...
rushed for 131 yards and one touchdown, as the Buccaneers defeated the visiting
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football franchise based in Denver. The Broncos compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) West division. The team is headquart ...
. The Tampa Bay defense held
Terrell Davis
Terrell Lamar Davis (born October 28, 1972) is an American former professional football player who was a running back for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL) from 1995 to 2001. He is the Broncos all-time leading rusher and ...
to only 53 yards, and quarterback
Trent Dilfer
Trent Farris Dilfer (born March 13, 1972) is a former American football quarterback and analyst who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He is best known as the starting quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens during their Su ...
was a noteworthy 15-of-18 with no interceptions. Tampa Bay took a 13–10 lead into halftime, and the second half was scoreless.
Week 4: at Minnesota Vikings (lost 14–21)
The
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis. They compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the National Football Conference (NFC) North division. Founded in 1960 as an expansion ...
blasted out to a 21–0 lead in the first quarter, with
Randall Cunningham
Randall Wade Cunningham Sr. (born March 27, 1963) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons. He spent the majority of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles and is also known for ...
throwing three touchdown passes. With
Warren Sapp
Warren Carlos Sapp (born December 19, 1972) is an American former football defensive tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons, primarily with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sapp played college football at Miami, where h ...
out with an injury, the Vikings totalled 192-yard of offense. After trimming the deficit to 21–14, the Buccaneers drove late in the fourth quarter looking to tie the game. With two minutes left, Trent Dilfer underthrew the ball to
Warrick Dunn, and was intercepted at the Minnesota 10-yard line. With enough time for one last possession, the Buccaneers drove to the Minnesota 18-yard line. Dilfer's final pass to the endzone was knocked down as time expired.
Week 5: at Green Bay Packers (lost 23–26)
Trent Dilfer
Trent Farris Dilfer (born March 13, 1972) is a former American football quarterback and analyst who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He is best known as the starting quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens during their Su ...
threw three interceptions and lost one fumble, but appeared to be leading Tampa Bay to a fourth quarter comeback victory on ''
Sunday Night Football'' at
Lambeau Field against the
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. It ...
.
After falling behind 10–0, the Buccaneers managed a 13–13 tie at half time. Trailing 19–16 with less than two minutes to go,
Mike Alstott
Michael Joseph Alstott (born December 21, 1973), is a former American football fullback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Nicknamed "A-Train", he played college football at Purdue an ...
rumbled 22 yards for a go-ahead touchdown. Not to be denied, however,
Brett Favre
Brett Lorenzo Favre ( ; born October 10, 1969) is an American former football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 20 seasons, primarily with the Green Bay Packers. Favre had 321 consecutive starts from 1992 to 20 ...
drove the Packers 73 yards in only 6 plays, and won the game 26–23.
The Buccaneers fell to 2–3 going into their bye week.
Week 7: Chicago Bears (won 6–3)
Both the Buccaneers and
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago. The Bears compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) North division. The Bears have won nine NF ...
suffered through offensive futility, in a division game which both teams combined for only nine points. Slumping quarterback
Trent Dilfer
Trent Farris Dilfer (born March 13, 1972) is a former American football quarterback and analyst who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He is best known as the starting quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens during their Su ...
passed for only 121 yards, while fans booed him throughout the afternoon. Twice in the first quarter, Dilfer missed wide-open receivers in the endzone.
Martin Gramatica scored two field goals in the first half for Tampa Bay's only points. With 45 seconds left,
Derrick Brooks
Derrick Dewan Brooks (born April 18, 1973) is an American former football outside linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brooks played college football at Florida State, wh ...
intercepted third-string quarterback
Jim Miller to secure the win.
Week 8: at Detroit Lions (lost 3–20)
The biggest news going into the game was the benching of quarterback
Trent Dilfer
Trent Farris Dilfer (born March 13, 1972) is a former American football quarterback and analyst who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He is best known as the starting quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens during their Su ...
. Back-up
Eric Zeier
Eric Royce Zeier (born September 6, 1972) is a former American football quarterback. In his six years in the NFL, he played for the Cleveland Browns (1995), Baltimore Ravens (1996–1998), and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1999–2000). He is a for ...
was named the starter for week 8. On ''
Sunday Night Football'', the Buccaneers visited the
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit. The Lions compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) North Division. The team play their home games at Ford ...
.
Trailing 17–3 late in the third quarter, the Buccaneers appeared to reach the endzone and shift the game's momentum.
Warrick Dunn caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Zeier, and the team lined up for the extra point, and a certain 17–10 score. With only ten men on the field, and confusion among the Buccaneers players, a delay of game penalty was incurred. During the delay, the Lions sidelines took the opportunity to throw the
challenge flag, and the touchdown was reviewed. The replay showed Dunn was down at the one-yard line, and play continued. Moments later,
Mike Alstott
Michael Joseph Alstott (born December 21, 1973), is a former American football fullback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Nicknamed "A-Train", he played college football at Purdue an ...
fumbled away the ball at the 2, and the Lions recovered. A field goal off the turnover iced the game for Detroit.
Week 9: at New Orleans Saints (won 31–16)
Eric Zeier
Eric Royce Zeier (born September 6, 1972) is a former American football quarterback. In his six years in the NFL, he played for the Cleveland Browns (1995), Baltimore Ravens (1996–1998), and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1999–2000). He is a for ...
's stint as starting quarterback lasted only one week, and
Trent Dilfer
Trent Farris Dilfer (born March 13, 1972) is a former American football quarterback and analyst who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He is best known as the starting quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens during their Su ...
returned to the lineup. The Buccaneers rolled over the
Saints
In religious belief, a saint is a person who is recognized as having an exceptional degree of holiness
Sacred describes something that is dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity; is considered worthy of spiritual res ...
, with Dilfer passing for 227 yards and three touchdowns. The biggest of the day being an early 62-yard bomb to
Jacquez Green.
Mike Alstott
Michael Joseph Alstott (born December 21, 1973), is a former American football fullback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Nicknamed "A-Train", he played college football at Purdue an ...
rushed for 117 yards and one touchdown.
Week 10: Kansas City Chiefs (won 17–10)
Trent Dilfer
Trent Farris Dilfer (born March 13, 1972) is a former American football quarterback and analyst who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He is best known as the starting quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens during their Su ...
passed for 270 yards and two touchdowns (35 yards, 52 yards, respectively), but six turnovers nearly foiled the afternoon. The Buccaneer defense remained firm and held
Kansas City
The Kansas City metropolitan area is a bi-state metropolitan area anchored by Kansas City, Missouri. Its 14 counties straddle the border between the U.S. states of Missouri (9 counties) and Kansas (5 counties). With and a population of more ...
to 5 yards passing in the first half. Dilfer, however, threw one interception and fumbled away a snap and
Mike Alstott
Michael Joseph Alstott (born December 21, 1973), is a former American football fullback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Nicknamed "A-Train", he played college football at Purdue an ...
lost three fumbles.
Leading 17–10 with 3 minutes to go, the Buccaneers looked to run out the clock. Alstott, however, committed his third fumble, and the Chiefs took over at their own 17. In ten plays,
Elvis Grbac
Elvis M. Grbac (born August 13, 1970) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons, most notably with the Kansas City Chiefs. He played college football at Michigan, where he won the ...
drove the Chiefs 66 yards to the Tampa Bay 13. With 28 seconds remaining in regulation,
Hardy Nickerson
Hardy Otto Nickerson Sr. (born September 1, 1965) is an American former football coach and professional player. He played as linebacker for four teams over 16 seasons, from 1987 to 2002, in the National Football League (NFL). Nickerson spent ...
intercepted Grbac in the endzone, and Tampa Bay held on to win.
Week 11: Atlanta Falcons (won 19–10)
Martin Gramatica kicked four field goals against
Atlanta
Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,715 ...
, leading the team in scoring for the day. Trailing 9–10 with 53 seconds remaining, Gramatica kicked a 53-yard field goal, and Tampa Bay took a 12–10 lead, their first lead of the day. Just moments later,
Donnie Abraham
Nathaniel Donnell Abraham (born October 8, 1973) is an American football coach and former cornerback who is the current Defensive Coordinator for St. Louis Battlehawks. In his career, he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1996–2001) and the ...
intercepted
Chris Chandler
Christopher Chandler or Chris Chandler may refer to:
* Christopher Chandler (businessman), New Zealand businessman
* Christopher Chandler (politician), lawyer and politician
* Christopher N. Chandler, former journalist and political activist
* C ...
and returned the ball 47 yards for a touchdown to seal the victory.
Week 12: at Seattle Seahawks (won 16–3)
Tampa Bay traveled to the west coast to take on the 8–2
Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle. The Seahawks compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) NFC West, West, which they rejoined ...
, and looked to break a long
west coast West Coast or west coast may refer to:
Geography Australia
* Western Australia
*Regions of South Australia#Weather forecasting, West Coast of South Australia
* West Coast, Tasmania
**West Coast Range, mountain range in the region
Canada
* Britis ...
losing trend.
A tough first half saw a 3–3 tie. In the third quarter, the season came to a turning point. Quarterback
Trent Dilfer
Trent Farris Dilfer (born March 13, 1972) is a former American football quarterback and analyst who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He is best known as the starting quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens during their Su ...
was sacked by
Phillip Daniels
Phillip Bernard Daniels (born March 4, 1973) is a former American football defensive end and coach who most recently served as defensive line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Seattle ...
and suffered a broken
clavicle
The clavicle, or collarbone, is a slender, S-shaped long bone approximately 6 inches (15 cm) long that serves as a strut between the shoulder blade and the sternum (breastbone). There are two clavicles, one on the left and one on the rig ...
. Dilfer sat out the remainder of the season, and rookie
Shaun King
Jeffery Shaun King (born September 17, 1979) is an American writer, civil rights activist and co-founder of Real Justice PAC. King uses social media to promote social justice causes, including the Black Lives Matter movement.
King was raised ...
took over as quarterback. King was only 3-for-7, but threw a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to lead the Buccaneers to victory.
Week 13: Minnesota Vikings (won 24–17)
Shaun King
Jeffery Shaun King (born September 17, 1979) is an American writer, civil rights activist and co-founder of Real Justice PAC. King uses social media to promote social justice causes, including the Black Lives Matter movement.
King was raised ...
made his first start against division rival
Minnesota
Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minnesota is home to western prairies, now given over to ...
on ''
Monday Night Football
''ESPN Monday Night Football'' (abbreviated as ''MNF'' and also known as ''ESPN Monday Night Football on ABC'' for simulcasts) is an American live television broadcast of weekly National Football League (NFL) games currently airing on ESPN, AB ...
''. The Buccaneers jumped out to a 7–0 lead after
Donnie Abraham
Nathaniel Donnell Abraham (born October 8, 1973) is an American football coach and former cornerback who is the current Defensive Coordinator for St. Louis Battlehawks. In his career, he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1996–2001) and the ...
intercepted
Jeff George for a 55-yard touchdown return. King passed for only 93 yards, but threw two touchdowns. Minnesota dominated the first half, but four first half drives into Tampa Bay territory came up empty.
The Buccaneers won their fifth straight game, and snapped Minnesota's five-game winning streak. Tampa Bay sat atop the NFC Central standings, tied for the lead with Detroit.
Week 14: Detroit Lions (won 23–16)
Tampa Bay evened the series against
Detroit
Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at th ...
, and took over sole possession of first place in the NFC Central.
Shaun King
Jeffery Shaun King (born September 17, 1979) is an American writer, civil rights activist and co-founder of Real Justice PAC. King uses social media to promote social justice causes, including the Black Lives Matter movement.
King was raised ...
passed for 297 yards and two touchdowns.
Week 15: at Oakland Raiders (lost 0–45)
Tampa Bay's franchise record six consecutive wins came to a screeching halt, as the
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders were a professional American football team that played in Oakland from its founding in 1960 to 1981 and again from 1995 to 2019 before relocating to the Las Vegas metropolitan area where they now play as the Las Vegas Raide ...
trounced the Buccaneers 45–0. The Buccaneers were held to under 30 yards rushing, while
Shaun King
Jeffery Shaun King (born September 17, 1979) is an American writer, civil rights activist and co-founder of Real Justice PAC. King uses social media to promote social justice causes, including the Black Lives Matter movement.
King was raised ...
suffered mightily. The Raiders intercepted King once, returned a King fumble for a touchdown, sacked King four times, and took a 21–0 lead into halftime. In the third quarter, coach
Tony Dungy
Anthony Kevin Dungy ( ; born October 6, 1955) is an American former football safety and coach who served as a head coach in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts. Dungy's teams be ...
pulled his starters from the game, and rested them for the upcoming games.
Week 16: Green Bay Packers (won 29–10)
On the day after
Christmas
Christmas is an annual festival commemorating Nativity of Jesus, the birth of Jesus, Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people Observance of Christmas by country, around t ...
, Tampa Bay hosted
Green Bay in a key division game. Four Packers turnovers turned into 20 Buccaneers points. Three
Gramatica field goals established a 9–0 lead, but Green Bay took the lead 10–9 at halftime. In the fourth quarter,
Mike Alstott
Michael Joseph Alstott (born December 21, 1973), is a former American football fullback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Nicknamed "A-Train", he played college football at Purdue an ...
's two touchdown runs put the game out of reach for Green Bay.
With the victory, Tampa Bay improved to 10–5, and a win in week 17 would clinch the division title.
Week 17: at Chicago Bears (won 20–6)
Tampa Bay traveled to
Soldier Field
Soldier Field is a multi-purpose stadium on the Near South Side of Chicago, Illinois, United States. Opened in 1924 and reconstructed in 2003, the stadium has served as the home of the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) since 1 ...
to take on the
Bears
Bears are carnivoran mammals of the family Ursidae. They are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans. Although only eight species of bears are extant, they are widespread, appearing in a wide variety of habitats throughout the North ...
, with a division title on the line. Tampa Bay easily handled the 6–9 Bears, and won their first
NFC Central
The National Football Conference – Northern Division or NFC North is one of the four divisions of the National Football Conference (NFC) in the National Football League (NFL). Nicknamed the "Black and Blue Division" for the rough and tough ri ...
title since
1981
Events January
* January 1
** Greece enters the European Economic Community, predecessor of the European Union.
** Palau becomes a self-governing territory.
* January 10 – Salvadoran Civil War: The FMLN launches its first major offensiv ...
.
Shaun King
Jeffery Shaun King (born September 17, 1979) is an American writer, civil rights activist and co-founder of Real Justice PAC. King uses social media to promote social justice causes, including the Black Lives Matter movement.
King was raised ...
threw for 178 yards, and one touchdown.
Mike Alstott
Michael Joseph Alstott (born December 21, 1973), is a former American football fullback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Nicknamed "A-Train", he played college football at Purdue an ...
scored one touchdown run. The Buccaneers earned a first-round bye for the playoffs. Longtime Buccaneer player
Paul Gruber
Paul Blake Gruber (born February 24, 1965) is an American former football offensive tackle in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fourth overall in the 1988 NFL Draft. He played college football at Wisconsin.
...
suffered a broken leg, and missed the rest of the season, and it was ultimately his final NFL game.
Postseason
Game summaries
NFC Divisional Playoffs: Washington Redskins (won 14–13)
The Buccaneers forced two key turnovers in the second half to rally from a 13–0 deficit, while their defense held Washington to just 157 yards, with only 32 in the second half.
After a scoreless first quarter, a 35-yard punt from
Mark Royals
Mark Alan Royals (born June 22, 1965) is a former American football punter in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints, Miami ...
gave the Redskins great field position on the Tampa Bay 43-yard line.
Brad Johnson started out the drive with a 19-yard completion to
Albert Connell
Albert Gene Anthony Connell (born May 13, 1974) is a former American football wide receiver who played for the Washington Redskins and the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League, and for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Footba ...
, and then a 12-yard run by
Stephen Davis set up a 28-yard field goal from
Brett Conway with 5:37 remaining in the second quarter. Then in the second half,
Brian Mitchell returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, a playoff record. Later in the third quarter,
Darrell Green intercepted a pass from Buccaneers quarterback
Shaun King
Jeffery Shaun King (born September 17, 1979) is an American writer, civil rights activist and co-founder of Real Justice PAC. King uses social media to promote social justice causes, including the Black Lives Matter movement.
King was raised ...
and returned it 12 yards to the Buccaneers 36-yard line, setting up Conway's second field goal to take a 13–0 lead. But after a Bucs punt, Tampa Bay safety
John Lynch intercepted a pass from Johnson on the Tampa Bay 27-yard line. Aided by a 31-yard pass interference penalty on
Leomont Evans, the Buccaneers subsequently drove 73 yards in 6 plays and scored on
Mike Alstott
Michael Joseph Alstott (born December 21, 1973), is a former American football fullback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Nicknamed "A-Train", he played college football at Purdue an ...
's 2-yard touchdown run. Then in the fourth quarter, defensive tackle
Steve White forced a fumble from
Brad Johnson while sacking him and
Warren Sapp
Warren Carlos Sapp (born December 19, 1972) is an American former football defensive tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons, primarily with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sapp played college football at Miami, where h ...
recovered the ball on the Redskins 32-yard line. King then went to work, completing a 17-yard pass to
Bert Emanuel and a 13-yard pass to
Warrick Dunn. On fourth down and 1, Alstott's 5-yard run moved the ball to the Washington 3-yard line, and King eventually finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown pass to John Davis.
The Redskins had a chance to win the game with a 52-yard field goal attempt in the final seconds of the game, but the snap from center
Dan Turk
Daniel Anthony Turk (June 25, 1962 – December 24, 2000) was an American football center and long snapper in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Oakland Raiders, and Washington Redskins. He ...
to
Brad Johnson, the holder, was off and the Bucs won. Contrary to popular belief, the snap was not to
Matt Turk
Matthew Edward Turk (born June 16, 1968) is a former American football punter. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1993. He played college football at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater. A three- ...
, the team's punter, and also his brother. This was Dan Turk's last game in the NFL, as he died later that year due to
cancer
Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal b ...
. Meanwhile, King became the first rookie to lead his team to a playoff win since
Pat Haden in 1976.
NFC Championship: at St. Louis Rams (lost 6–11)
The Rams and Buccaneers slugged it out for most of the game, with the Buccaneers defense holding the Rams' highly-potent offense in check. Tampa Bay, weak on offense, only mustered two field goals, and gave up a costly safety in the second quarter when a bad snap from center went over the head of rookie quarterback
Shaun King
Jeffery Shaun King (born September 17, 1979) is an American writer, civil rights activist and co-founder of Real Justice PAC. King uses social media to promote social justice causes, including the Black Lives Matter movement.
King was raised ...
and out of the endzone. Despite this, the Buccaneers nursed an unusual 6–5 lead into the fourth quarter. The Rams broke open a defense dominated game when Kurt Warner threw a touchdown pass to
Ricky Proehl
Richard Scott Proehl (born March 7, 1968) is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. Proehl played 17 seasons with the Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, St. Louis Rams, Carolina Panth ...
with 4:44 left in the game. The Buccaneers mounted a drive on their final possession, however a replay overturned what appeared to be a reception by Buccaneers wide receiver
Bert Emanuel, and the Buccaneers never recovered.
On the first play of the game, Bucs defensive end Steve White intercepted a
screen pass from Warner on the Rams 20-yard line, setting up a 25-yard field goal from
Martin Gramatica. But that was all they could manage in the first quarter. On one possession, they moved the ball to the St. Louis 23-yard line, but then King was sacked and fumbled. Tampa Bay recovered the ball, but lost 12 yards and were pushed out of field goal range. Then with 11 seconds left in the period, King threw a pass from the St. Louis 41-yard line that went right into the surprised arms of safety
Todd Lyght. The Rams didn't do much better. After Gramatica's field goal, they drove 74 yards in 16 plays before a fumbled handoff from Warner to
Marshall Faulk
Marshall William Faulk (born February 26, 1973) is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and St. Louis Rams. He is widely regarded as one of the grea ...
on third down forced them to settle for a 24-yard field goal by
Jeff Wilkins
Jeffrey Allen Wilkins (born April 19, 1972), nicknamed "Money", is a former American football placekicker for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles and St. Louis Rams of the National Football League (NFL). With the Rams, he won Super Bow ...
. Then on their next drive, Wilkins missed a field goal attempt from 44 yards.
In the second quarter, a high snap from Bucs center
Tony Mayberry
Eino Anthony Mayberry (born December 8, 1967) is a former American football player who played center for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1990 to 1999. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers. He was selected to t ...
went over King's head and into the end zone. King managed to knock the ball out of the end zone to prevent a touchdown, but it gave the Rams a safety and a 5–3 lead. This was the score by halftime, despite the Rams' 159–75 advantage over the Buccaneers in total yards.
Just as in the first half, Tampa Bay scored a field goal on their opening drive on the third quarter, set up by a 32-yard reception by
Jacquez Green and a 15-yard facemask penalty on
Taje Allen. Meanwhile, Warner was intercepted three times by the Buccaneers defense, including a costly interception to
Hardy Nickerson
Hardy Otto Nickerson Sr. (born September 1, 1965) is an American former football coach and professional player. He played as linebacker for four teams over 16 seasons, from 1987 to 2002, in the National Football League (NFL). Nickerson spent ...
on the Tampa Bay 3-yard line. But late in the fourth quarter, Rams cornerback
Dre' Bly intercepted a pass from King at the Buccaneers 49-yard line. A few plays later, Warner threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Proehl with 4:44 left, taking an 11–6 lead after the two-point conversion failed.
Despite being sacked twice, King responded by leading the Buccaneers to the St. Louis 22-yard line. With 47 seconds remaining, King completed an apparent 13-yard reception to
Bert Emanuel at the Rams' 22-yard line, setting up a 3rd & 10. The ruling on the field was initially a complete pass, as officials spotted the ball at the 22. The Buccaneers called a quick timeout (their final timeout) and huddled. Booth replay-official Jerry Markbreit ordered a review of the call during the timeout. Referee
Bill Carollo
William F. Carollo (born November 27, 1951) is a retired American football official who officiated National Football League (NFL) games from 1989 through 2008. He wore uniform number 63. Carollo officiated in two Super Bowls and eight conference ...
determined that the nose of the ball had touched the ground as he brought it into his body, despite Emanuel having what appeared to be control. The catch was overturned, ruled incomplete, and Tampa Bay was moved back to a 3rd & 23 at the 35. King threw two incompletions, the second a desperation pass that went out the back of the endzone. The Buccaneers turned the ball over on downs, and the Rams held on to win 11–6.
The ensuing controversy prompted the NFL to clarify the rule regarding what constitutes a valid pass reception. This came to be known as "The Bert Emanuel Rule."
Proehl was the sole offensive star of the game, finishing with six catches for 100 yards and one touchdown.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:1999 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Season
Tampa Bay Buccaneers season
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South divisio ...
20th century in Tampa, Florida
NFC Central championship seasons
Tampa Bay Buccaneers seasons