With their 2005 campaign marking the Buccaneers' 30th Season in the NFL, the team won their first four games before entering a midseason slump hampered by a season-ending injury to starting QB Brian Griese during a win over the Miami Dolphins.
A booth review of that play was inconclusive, and Redskins coach Joe Gibbs stated after the game his belief that Alstott had not scored.
The Buccaneers followed up with important wins over their NFC South division rivals, sweeping both the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons, as well as defeating the Panthers in a rare victory at Carolina.
Even with a tough loss against the Chicago Bears and a humiliating shutout against the New England Patriots, the Bucs finished 11–5 and won the NFC South by virtue of a tie-breaker over the Panthers.
An apparent late Bucs touchdown pass from Chris Simms to Edell Shepherd could have tied the game, but the play was ruled incomplete when a booth review upheld the referee's decision.
Tampa Bay dominated the visiting Bills on a steamy 91° afternoon, with Cadillac Williams rushing for 128 yards and one touchdown.
Tampa Bay lost their first game of the season to the Jets, due in part to injuries to Cadillac Williams and Michael Clayton.
Chris Simms was named starting quarterback, but despite a 78-yard touchdown pass to Joey Galloway, the Buccaneers offense sputtered, and fell by a score of 15–10.
Fullback Mike Alstott hit the pile up the middle, but a second effort allowed him to cross the goal line and Tampa Bay took a 36–35 lead.
The Buccaneers held on to win 20–10, breaking a five-game losing streak to Carolina, evened the season series 1–1, and moved into a tie for the NFC South lead.
Tampa Bay drove to the 23-yard line, and avoided a tie when Bryant connected on a 41-yard game-winning field goal with 15 seconds left in the overtime period.
[1][2] at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida Although the Redskins gained only 120 yards on offense, the lowest total in NFL playoff history for a winning team,[3] they converted two turnovers into touchdowns.
Early in the second quarter, Tampa Bay drove 38 yards to the Redskins 24-yard line where Matt Bryant kicked a 43-yard field goal to cut their deficit to 14–3.
Tamp Bay's offense took full advantage of the return, marching on a seven-play, 51-yard drive that ended with quarterback Chris Simms' two-yard touchdown run.
First, linebacker Lemar Marshall tackled fullback Mike Alstott for no gain on third down and 1, and then Simms threw an incomplete pass on fourth down..
However, Buccaneers cornerback Brian Kelly gave his team another chance to drive for the tying touchdown by intercepting a pass from Mark Brunell and returning it the Redskins 35-yard line.
With 3 minutes left in the game, Tampa Bay wide receiver Edell Shepherd caught what appeared to be a 35-yard touchdown reception, but he lost control of the ball as he was coming down in the end zone.