NFC EAST NFC NORTH NFC SOUTH NFC WEST NY Giants 11-5 Chicago 11-5 Tampa Bay 11-5 Seattle 13-3 Washington 10-6 Minnesota 9-7 Carolina 11-5 St.Louis 6-10 Dallas 9-7 Detroit 5-11 Atlanta 8-8 Arizona 5-11 Philadelphia 5-11 Green Bay 4-12 New Orleans 3-13 San Francisco 3-13 AFC EAST AFC CENTRAL AFC SOUTH AFC WEST New England 10-6 Cincinnati 11-5 Indianapolis 14-2 Denver 13-3 Miami 9-7 Pittsburgh 11-5 Jacksonville 12-4 Kansas City 10-6 Buffalo 5-11 Baltimore 6-10 Tennessee 4-12 San Diego 9-7 NY Jets 4-12 Cleveland 6-10 Houston 2-14 Oakland 4-12 WILD CARD GAMES Washington 17 Tampa Bay 10 Carolina 23 NY Giants 0 New England 28 Jacksonville 3 Pittsburgh 31 Cincinnati 27 DIVISIONAL GAMES Carolina 29 Chicago 21 Seattle 20 Washington 10 Denver 27 New England 13 Pittsburgh 21 Indianapolis 18 CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES Seattle 34 Carolina 14 Pittsburgh 34 Denver 17 SUPER BOWL XL at Ford Field, Detroit Pittsburgh 21 Seattle 10

The 2005 season saw the Bucs return to the playoffs for the first time in three years as a series of narrow victories coming off the back of a 4-0 start saw a second NFC South Division title for Jon Gruden's team. Rookie Cadillac Williams had an immediate impact on the offense and it was a real surprise when the Bucs fell at the first playoff hurdle at home to the Washington Redskins. Chris Simms had replaced the injured Brian Griese at quarterback and his deep ball combination with Joey Galloway led the Buccaneers during the second half of the season.