Buccaneers dominate in Super Bowl XXXVII
Super Bowl XXXVII is sometimes referred to as "The Gruden Bowl" due to the trade of coach Jon Gruden from the Oakland Raiders to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It is also sometimes known as "The Pirate Bowl" due to both teams' logos.
The game was a one-sided affair, with the Buccaneers dominating throughout. The Buccaneers' defense held the Raiders to just 3 points in the first half, and the offense led by Johnson, who threw for 215 yards and 2 touchdowns, was complimented by a strong run game, scored 48 points, and went on to win by a score of 48-21.
Defensive back Dexter Jackson was named the Super Bowl MVP after his two interceptions in the game and the win marked the Buccaneers' first Super Bowl victory in the franchise's history.
More about Super Bowl XXXVII
Super Bowl XXXVII was played on January 26, 2003, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, champions of the NFC, faced off against the Oakland Raiders, champions of the AFC.
The Buccaneers had an excellent regular season, finishing with a record of 12-4. They won their division and then defeated the San Francisco 49ers, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles to advance to the Super Bowl.
Quarterback Brad Johnson led the team's offense, completing 270 passes for 3,049 yards and 22 touchdowns, and the Bucs' strength was their defense led by linebacker Derrick Brooks, who recorded 5 interceptions that season, and defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.
The Raiders also had a successful regular season, finishing with a record of 11-5. They won their division and then defeated the New York Jets, the Tennessee Titans, and the AFC Championship Game against the Tennessee Titans to advance to Super Bowl XXXVII.
Quarterback Rich Gannon led the team's offense, completing 418 passes for 4,689 yards and 26 touchdowns to win the MVP, and the defense was solid, led by cornerback Charles Woodson, who recorded 5 interceptions that season.