1979 Buccaneers Season | NFC Central Champions | History

With the transformation of the Buccaneers' defense to the top-ranked unit in the NFL complete, and with Doug Williams and Ricky Bell having their breakout seasons, Tampa Bay stunned the NFL by winning its first five games on the way to a 10-6 record, and NFC Central division title and the franchise's first playoff berth. Lee Roy Selmon had his third straight double-digit sack season and was named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year, leading a unit that allowed a league-low 246.8 yards per game. Bell ran for 1,263 yards and tight end Jimmie Giles emerged as a rare deep threat at his position. The Buccaneers won their first-ever postseason game, 24-17, over the visiting Eagles, behind a workhorse performance from Bell, then fell at home to the Los Angeles Rams, 9-0, in the NFC Championship Game.

PASSING:

Doug Williams
2,448 yards, 18 touchdowns

RUSHING:

Ricky Bell
1,263 yards, 7 touchdowns

RECEIVING:

Isaac Hagins
39 receptions, 692 yards, 3 touchdowns

TACKLES:

Richard Wood
158

SACKS:

Lee Roy Selmon
11.0

INTERCEPTIONS:

Cedric Brown, Mike Washington & Jeris White
3