1981 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season

Infobox NFL_season
team = Tampa Bay Buccaneers
year = 1981
record = 9-7
division_place = 1st NFC Central
coach = John McKay
stadium = Tampa Stadium
playoffs = L Divisional game against Dallas CowboysThe 1981 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season began with the team trying to improve on an 5-10-1 season. A miracle finish in game One against the Minnesota Vikings occurred as the Vikings were driving towards at least a winning field goal when former Miami Dolphins defensive back Neal Colzie intercepted the ball and ran it back for a game clinching touchdown. After losses the next two weeks, the Bucs played solid ball to a 4-2 record. They played a roller coaster type season with wins and losses in a row and an eventual 5-6 record before going on a three game winning streak which included a week 12 win over the Green Bay Packers in what was then their largest ever margin of victory at the time 37-3. A wild, lead changing win over the Atlanta Falcons put the Bucs in a position where they only needed to win one of the next two games to clinch the Division. A home game against the high powered San Diego Chargers was probably their best chance, and after two back to back touchdowns in the 4th quarter it looked as if they would do so, but a late Field Goal won the game for San Diego. In the end, the Bucs secured a playoff place by beating the Detroit Lions in a winner-takes-all game in the Silverdome where the Lions had not lost all season. In a 14 point turn around, the Lions were driving with a 10-7 advantage at the Buccaneer 20 yard line, but were intercepted. On the following play, Doug Williams hit Kevin House for a Bomb to take a 14-10 lead. In the end, Tampa Bay won their second division title in three years. 1981 was the year Tampa Bay drafted James Wilder who helped the 1981 rushing attack along with former San Francisco 49ers and Olympic Sprinter James Owens. Quarterback Williams had another impressive season primarily throwing to House and former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Theo Bell. Tampa Bay's season was ended in a blowout by the Dallas Cowboys in which Doug Williams was sacked four times and threw four interceptions. The defense was ranked in the top five and lead the NFL with 32 interceptions.

Offseason

NFL Draft

Awards and records

tandings