Despite high expectations, several last-minute losses led to locker room tension and front-office struggles.
The season started out on a positive note, as the Buccaneers defeated their bitter rival from the three previous postseasons, the Philadelphia Eagles.
It was the first game in Lincoln Financial Field, and with a 17–0 shutout victory, it appeared Tampa Bay had picked up right where they had left off the season before.
Their home opener against the Carolina Panthers in week 2 was a disappointment, however, as special teams woes thwarted what would have been a game-winning touchdown as time expired.
[1] Combined with the Oakland Raiders' dismal 4–12 performance, neither Super Bowl team reached the playoffs that year.
Soon after the team's victory in Super Bowl XXXVII over the Oakland Raiders, a growing number of press reports had indicated Gruden’s lack of patience with general manager Rich McKay.
McKay was a major architect of the Buccaneers' rebuilding effort over the previous ten years, and he, like Gruden, had long-established ties to the Tampa Bay area.
In November, Keyshawn Johnson was deactivated by the team ten games into the season for his conduct, which included sideline arguments with coaches and players.
Opening day starters such as Mike Alstott, Brian Kelly, Greg Spires, and Kenyatta Walker, along with Joe Jurevicius, John Howell, Tim Wansley, Darian Barnes, and Ellis Wyms all ended up on injured reserve.
By Thanksgiving, the starting running back became lesser-known Thomas Jones, with on-again, off-again third-string receiver Charles Lee elevated to starter.
On the last play of regulation, Brad Johnson connected to Keenan McCardell for a dramatic game-tying touchdown pass in the back of the endzone time expired.
Both teams traded possessions, and with just over 6 minutes left in the overtime period, Tampa Bay punted to Carolina.
During pre-game warm-ups, Warren Sapp stirred up controversy when he skipped through the Colts players, who were spread out over the field stretching.
With 5:09 remaining in the fourth quarter, Ronde Barber intercepted Peyton Manning and returned the ball 29 yards for a touchdown, and put the Buccaneers up 35–14.
The critical error by the officiating crew led by referee Johnny Grier was overlooked, and the game continued.
In overtime, kicker Mike Vanderjagt missed a 40-yard field goal, but umpire Ed Coukart called a penalty on Simeon Rice for leaping, a rarely seen unsportsmanlike conduct infraction for running and jumping to block a kick and landing on other players.
With the game-winning field goal, Vanderjagt went on to become the first kicker in NFL history not to miss a kick attempt in a complete season, including the playoffs.
Before the game, Warren Sapp was involved in his second "skipping" incident in two weeks, and third overall, as he bumped into an NFL referee.
Brad Johnson threw three interceptions, and the Buccaneer defense gave up 212 yards rushing, falling to the San Francisco 49ers.
With under 8 minutes to go in regulation, Brad Johnson threw two touchdown passes (26 and 30 yards) to Michael Pittman and Keenan McCardell to tie the score at 14–14.
The Buccaneer defense failed to hold ground, and the Saints kicked a game-winning field goal with 8 seconds left.
The Buccaneer defense, however, failed to keep Carolina at bay, and Delhomme swiftly led the Panthers to a game-winning touchdown with 1:11 left.
It marked the 69th consecutive game the Buccaneer defense registered a quarterback sack, a new all-time NFL record.
The Tampa Bay defense had, one week earlier, set the all-time NFL record for consecutive game with a quarterback sack.
The following day, after several weeks of growing intra-team tension, Johnson was deactivated with pay from the playing roster for the balance of the season.
Just when they thought the season was finished a week before, the Buccaneers pulled out an important victory and moved to 5–6, snapping a three-game losing streak.
An uninspired performance against in-state rival Jacksonville (who had a 2–9 record going into the game) on Sunday Night Football saw twelve combined penalties for 128 yards (eight for eighty by the Bucs), seven turnovers (four fumbles and three interceptions), and blown chances.
Tampa Bay fell to 5–7 on the season The Buccaneers took on division foe New Orleans, and beat them for the first time since December 2001.
The Tampa Bay defense sacked Aaron Brooks seven times and forced three fumbles, meanwhile running back Deuce McAllister was held to just 88 yards.
A couple days after the game, general manager Rich McKay was released by the team, allowed to pursue work elsewhere.