The Buccaneers unveiled new uniforms prior to the season with red and pewter as the primary colors and a red pirate flag with a skull and crossed swords as the logo. On the field, Tony Dungy's Buccaneers continued the momentum it had built at the end of 1996 by tying a franchise record with a 5-0 start. That included a tone-setting 13-6 Week One win over the high-powered 49ers that kicked of a 10-6 season, breaking a string of 14 straight losing campaigns and sending the Bucs to the playoffs for the first time since 1982. Hardy Nickerson, Derrick Brooks and John Lynch all topped 150 tackles, Warren Sapp and Chidi Ahanotu both hit double digits in sacks and Donnie Abraham snared five interceptions for the second season in a row as the Bucs finished with the NFL's third-ranked defense. First-round rookie Warrick Dunn joined Mike Alstott to form a "Thunder & Lightning" backfield, as they combined for 1,643 rushing yards, 62 receptions and 17 touchdowns. Seven Buccaneers went to the Pro Bowl, including quarterback Trent Dilfer. The Buccaneers hosted a playoff game in the final contest played at Tampa Stadium and defeated Detroit, 20-10, before losing at Green Bay in the Divisional Round.
