The Buccaneers did finally manage to get back to their winning ways in 2005, rebounding to an 11-5 record and a second NFC South title. The defense returned to form, leading the NFL with 277.8 yards allowed per game and the offense found a new star in rookie running back Cadillac Williams, who would go on to be named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year. After Williams set a league record with 434 rushing yards over the first three games of his career, his cleats were sent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Joey Galloway, a trade acquisition the year before who was slowed by injuries in his Buccaneer debut season, exploded for 1,287 yards and 10 touchdowns. Veteran Brian Griese started the season at quarterback and led the Buccaneers to a 5-1 record before suffering a season-ending knee injury and giving way to second-year player Chris Simms. Simms initially struggled and the Bucs lost three of their next five games, but he later found his groove and a deep-ball connection with Galloway. He also engineered fourth-quarter comeback wins over Washington and Atlanta (twice). The Bucs prevailed in a tight division race by beating Carolina, Atlanta and New Orleans in December, with the Atlanta game hinging on a blocked field goal in overtime by Dewayne White. In the playoffs, the Buccaneers held Washington to just 120 yards of offense but somehow lost, 17-10, thanks to a pair of very costly turnovers.
