After missing the playoffs in 1998, the Buccaneers rebounded quickly, emerging as Super Bowl contenders in 1999. Warren Sapp collected 16.5 sacks and won NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors as he led a swarming defense that finished third in both points and yards allowed. The Buccaneers held nine opponents to 10 points or fewer and ripped off a franchise-record six-game winning streak in November and December, winning eight of their last nine to finish 11-5 and capture their first division title since 1981. The Buccaneers struggled to a 3-4 start and starting quarterback Trent Dilfer was briefly benched for Eric Zeier in October. Dilfer regained his job when Zeier got hurt in his only start, coinciding with the start of that long winning streak, but saw his season end with a shoulder injury in a late-November win at Seattle. Rookie third-rounder Shaun King took over at quarterback for the rest of the way and impressed in big late-season wins over division rivals Minnesota and Detroit. A 20-6 win at Chicago in the season finale clinched the division but was also the last game for franchise stalwart Paul Gruber, who suffered a broken leg. After a bye week, the Buccaneers came back to beat Washington at home in the Divisional Round before heading to St. Louis for an unforgettable NFC Championship Game. The Bucs' defense shut down a Rams offense that had averaged more than 30 points per game, but a late Kurt Warner touchdown pass gave the home team an 11-6 victory.
