TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Ranking Bucs' Top Road Victories

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOEY JOHNSTON

jjohnston@tampatrib.com

Published: December 7, 2008

Big game.

Huge game.

When the Bucs (9-3) face the Carolina Panthers (9-3) on Monday night at Charlotte, N.C., the stakes will be especially high. If the Bucs win, they will take command of the NFC South Division, which could lead to a No. 2 seed in the playoffs.

That means a bye week, then a home game. Get through that, and it's one more victory to a spot in Super Bowl XLIII at Raymond James Stadium. So beating the Panthers would clearly make it one of the biggest road victories in Tampa Bay's franchise history.

Which got us to thinking.

What are the biggest road victories in Tampa Bay's franchise history?

Here's our opinion:

1. Bucs 27, Eagles 10 (Veterans Stadium, Jan. 19, 2003) - Arguably, the biggest game - period - for the Bucs. Ronde Barber's 92-yard interception return put away the NFC Championship Game, sending Tampa Bay to Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego. It closed down the Vet and ended Tampa Bay's Philadelphia frustration (three straight losses there, including twice in the playoffs).

2. Bucs 20, Lions 17 (Pontiac Silverdome, Dec. 20, 1981) - Win-or-go-home game in the regular-season finale. The winner would take the NFC Central Division. The loser got knocked out of the playoff race. Both teams were 8-7, but the Lions were 7-0 at the Silverdome. The game turned on Doug Williams' electrifying 84-yard touchdown pass to Kevin House and Tampa Bay had its second division title.

3. Bucs 20, Bears 6 (Soldier Field, Jan. 2, 2000) - The Bucs, led by quarterback Shaun King and a stingy defense, already had clinched a playoff spot. But this victory clinched the NFC Central title, an 11-5 record, a bye week and the NFC's No. 2 seed.

4. Bucs 33, Saints 14 (Louisiana Superdome, Dec. 11, 1977) - Zero-and-26. That's how the Bucs opened their existence. With only two weeks remaining in the regular season, they were looking at their second winless record. But the Tampa Bay defense teed off on Saints quarterback Archie Manning, collecting six interceptions and returning two for touchdowns. The on-field celebration was topped only by the return to Tampa, where more than 10,000 fans were waiting for a wild welcome that lasted until the wee hours.

5. Bucs 25, Chargers 17 (Jack Murphy Stadium, Nov. 17, 1996) - This game is largely credited with ushering in the modern era of Bucs success. With a 10-game road losing streak and 12 straight defeats on the West Coast, Coach Tony Dungy was staying the course, even with the Bucs at 2-8. But when Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks watched ESPN's pregame show - which referred to Tampa Bay's team as the "Yucks" - their eyes narrowed. They agreed the franchise's laughingstock existence had to stop. The Bucs fell behind by two touchdowns, but rallied for the victory - and things haven't been the same ever since.

Reporter Joey Johnston can be reached at (813) 259-7353.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT