Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2008 Season

The 2008 season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was not nearly as successful as the previous season when they made it to the postseason. The 2008 team finished with a winning record of 9-7, but they were unable to successfully defend their 2007 NFC South championship. The team's owner actually deemed the 2008 season so unsuccessful that coach Jon Gruden and general manager Bruce Allen were fired at the end of the regular season.

The 2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers garnered preseason attention with their attempt to sign Brett Favre as the team's quarterback. Favre ultimately signed with the New York Jets, and Jeff Garcia was named as starting quarterback. Rumors of tensions between Gruden and Garcia floated around the press, and Gracia was eventually benched in favor of Brian Griese.

Griese helped the team win the first three games he started. In week six, Garcia returned as starter, and helped the team improve to 9-3 by the end of November. Starting the season with the record of 9-3 tied a franchise best, and the team was undefeated at home.

After such a great start, the season collapsed through December as the team saw longtime defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin leave the team. The team's defense began to struggle. The team lost the remaining four games to finish 9-7. The season turned into a disaster after such a promising beginning. The coach and general manager were fired.

Week 1: at New Orleans Saints
The Buccaneers lost to the Saints by a score of 24-20.
The Buccaneers had a chance to win in the final minute as Garcia drove the Bucs to the Saints' 24 yard line. He threw an interception on the final drive, and the Saints clinched victory.

Week 2: vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Buccaneers beat the Falcons by a score of 24-9.
Brian Griese threw a touchdown to John Gilmore during the Buccaneers' opening possession. Warrick Dunn then scored a touchdown on the opening drive of the second half. The Falcons put up little resistance, and the Bucs cruised to victory.

Week 3: at Chicago Bears
The Buccaneers defeated the Beats in overtime to win by a score of 27-24.
The Bears jumped out to a quick lead off of a Brian Gresie interception. At the end of the game, Gresie drove the team 81 yards on 11 plays to score a touchdown with a few seconds left to force overtime. The Bucs won in overtime with a field goal.

Week 4: vs. Green Bay Packers
The Buccaneers defeated the Packers by a score of 30-21.
The Packers scored a touchdown on the first drive of the game, but the remainder of their drives proved to be unsuccessful. Brian Gresie threw a touchdown pass in the opening drive of the second half to tie the game at 7-7. Gresie then threw three interceptions during the remainder of the game, but the Buccaneers held on to win the game with a defensive touchdown in the final minutes.

Week 5: at Denver Broncos
The Buccaneers lost to the Broncos by a score of 16-13.

Week 6: vs. Carolina Panthers
The Buccaneers beat the Panthers by a score of 27-3.

Week 7: vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Buccaneers beat the Seahawks by a score of 20-10.

Week 8: at Dallas Cowboys
The Buccaneers lost to the Cowboys by a score of 13-9.

Week 9: at Kansas City Chiefs
The Buccaneers beat the Chiefs by a score of 30-27.

Week 11: vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Buccaneers beat the Vikings by a score of 19-13.

Week 12: at Detroit Lions
The Buccaneers defeated the Lions by a score of 38-20.

Week 13: vs. New Orleans Saints
The Buccaneers beat the Saints by a score of 23-20.

Week 14: at Carolina Panthers
The Buccaneers lost to the Panthers in a nationally televised Monday night game by the score of 38-23.

Week 15: at Atlanta Falcons
The Buccaneers lost to the Falcons by a score of 13-10.

Week 16: vs. San Diego Chargers
The Buccaneers lost to the Chargers by a score of 41-24.

Week 17: vs. Oakland Raiders
The Buccaneers ended their season by losing to the Raiders by a score of 31-24.