3. 1979 NFC Championship Game
In just their fourth season in existence in the NFL, the Buccaneers found themselves just one game away from the Super Bowl. After a 10-6 year under head coach John McKay, the Buccaneers then went on to beat the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round of the playoffs. This set the stage for the Buccaneers to host the Los Angeles Rams, just one game away from the Super Bowl.
At this point in time the Buccaneers reached postseason play for the first time in 1979, reaching the NFC championship game and hosting it in old Tampa stadium at that. First loss in franchise history, be it even in preseason, was to the Los Angeles Rams who they would face in this game.
This was a hard and long game as the Rams would eventually win 9-0 on three field goals. The Bucs’ defense, led by Lee Roy Selmon, kept this Rams team in check and kept the Bucs in the game, but the offense just could not get it done to send the Buccaneers to their first Super Bowl in their franchise history.
The Buccaneers did eventually win a Super Bowl in 2002, but have not been back to the postseason in eleven seasons. They are hoping to get back to the playoffs this year with a strong season from Jameis Winston and company.