Propelled by one of the greatest defenses in league history, the 2002 Buccaneers scaled the NFL mountain for the first time, finishing a dominant campaign with a 48-21 victory over the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII. The title quest began with a dramatic offseason move that also involved the Raiders; after dismissing Tony Dungy the Buccaneers sent four draft picks and $8 million to Oakland for the rights to Head Coach Jon Gruden. With the defense already set, Gruden rebuilt the offense with an influx of veterans including running back Michael Pittman and wide receivers Keenan McCardell and Joe Jurevicius, and the result was a complete team that set a franchise record with a 12-4 regular season record. In the playoffs, after a first-round bye, the NFC South champions easily dispatched of San Francisco, earning a trip to Philadelphia for the NFC Championship Game. There, the Bucs banished their demons, beating the Eagles 27-10 in the final game ever played at venerable Veterans Stadium. Rondé Barber sealed that win with the most iconic play in franchise history, a 92-yard pick six late in the fourth quarter. The Bucs then set Super Bowl records with five interceptions and three pick-sixes in the rout of Gruden's former team. Simeon Rice led the defense with 15.5 sacks, Brian Kelly added a team-high eight interceptions and Derrick Brooks earned NFC Defensive Player of the Year honors on the back of five defensive touchdowns, playoffs included.
