The 2008 season was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 33rd in the National Football League (NFL), the 11th playing their home games at Raymond James Stadium, and the seventh and final under head coach Jon Gruden.
Ironically, the Super Bowl would next be played in the Tampa Bay region in the COVID-19 impacted 2020 NFL season, a game won by the Buccaneers.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers resigned free agents Michael Bennett (cut November 12), Kevin Carter, Antoine Cash, Sammy Davis, Jerramy Stevens.
After Favre signed with the Jets, tension was reported between head coach Jon Gruden and incumbent quarterback Jeff Garcia.
Running backs Wide receivers Tight ends Defensive linemen Defensive backs Special teams Practice squad Rookies in italics 53 active, 7 inactive, 9 practice squad NOTE: Due to NBC's coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics, two of the Buccaneers' pre-season games were telecast on WTVT as WFLA broadcast the Olympics.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers held Training Camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex from July 26 through August 14.
During the month of July, and into the early stages of training camp, the Buccaneers were one of the teams in the running to sign Brett Favre (who ended his 6-month-long retirement).
In the first quarter, Tampa Bay trailed as Saints QB Drew Brees completed a 39-yard TD pass to WR David Patten.
In the fourth quarter, Tampa Bay would go ahead again as QB Jeff Garcia completing a 2-yard TD pass to WR Ike Hilliard.
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida Green Bay took the opening drive 58 yards for a touchdown, and the first score of the game.
Early in the fourth quarter, Griese threw his second straight interception (and third overall), which was returned 62 yards by Charles Woodson for a touchdown.
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Broncos, the Buccaneers went home for a Week 6 NFC South duel with the Carolina Panthers.
On the next drive, Garcia connected deep to Michael Clayton, and a Matt Bryant field goal put the Buccaneers up 17–3.
All of Carolina's fourth quarter drives came up empty, and Tampa Bay ran out the clock to seal the victory.
Tampa Bay dominated the fourth quarter, executing a clock-eating, 16-play, 9½-minute drive, culminating with a Matt Bryant field goal and a 20–3 lead.
Meanwhile, Jeff Garcia twice drove the Buccaneers into the red zone, and two Matt Bryant field goals put Tampa Bay ahead 6–0.
Clifton Smith fumbled away the second half kickoff for Tampa Bay, setting up a field position battle in the third quarter.
Jeff Garcia quickly drove the Buccaneers to a 25-yard touchdown, and a two-point conversion catch by Alex Smith sent the game to overtime.
On the second play of their first drive, running back Earnest Graham suffered an injured ankle, and sat out the remainder of the game.
Two drives in the final 4 minutes by the Vikings came up empty, a turnover on downs, and a fumble, and Tampa Bay held on to win 19–13.
After trading possessions to open the game, quarterback Daunte Culpepper led the Lions on a seven-play touchdown drive to go up 7–0.
Warrick Dunn broke off a 40-yard run, and a roughing the passer penalty put Tampa Bay in the red zone.
An unnecessary roughness penalty, along with Garcia being tripped by him own man, however, forced the Buccaneers to settle for a fourth quarter Matt Bryant field goal.
New Orleans went three-and-out on their next drive, while Tampa Bay stretched their lead moments later with a 39-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Bryant.
Late in the first quarter, Tampa Bay drove to the Carolina 22, but Matt Bryant's field goal bounced off the upright no good.
DeAngelo Williams rushed for a 40-yard gain late in the second quarter, setting up a Jonathan Stewart touchdown run at the two-minute warning.
Before he crossed the goal line, however, Jermaine Phillips punched the ball from his grasp, and it was recovered in the endzone by Tampa Bay.
Trailing 17–7 late in the second quarter, Tampa Bay drove to the San Diego 31, where Matt Bryant kicked a field goal with 22-second left in the half.
Nearing the end of the third quarter, Tampa Bay again went on a long scoring drive, capping it off with a Matt Bryant field goal, and a 17–14 lead.
After a Jeff Garcia interception, and a late Oakland field goal, the Buccaneers fell to the Raiders 31–24, and thus once again the home team hosting the Super Bowl will not play in it, having failed to even make the post-season.