December 30, 2002
 

BUCCANEERS SHUT OUT CHICAGO, CLINCH NFC’S SECOND SEED

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers earned a franchise-best 12th victory Sunday night, defeating the Chicago Bears 15-0 to claim the second seed in the NFC playoffs.  The reward for their success is a first-round bye and at least one playoff game at home in the Florida sun.

Buccaneers K MARTIN GRAMATICA accounted for all of Tampa Bay’s points, connecting on five field goals all between 26 and 33 yards in length.  Tampa RB MICHAEL PITTMAN carried 21 times for 90 yards while FB MIKE ALSTOTT added 12 carries for 42 yards.

The Buccaneers’ defense had a big night, recording its second shutout of the season while forcing one sack and four interceptions along the way.  Tampa Bay extended its streak of games with at least one takeaway to 41 and finished the season with the NFL’s stingiest defense, allowing only 196 points all year.

Tampa Bay, Philadelphia and Green Bay all finished the season with 12-4 records.  Philadelphia earned the NFC’s top seed based on the best conference record among the three, while Tampa Bay held the head-to-head tiebreaker over Green Bay, having defeated the Packers in Week 12.