2002 NFC Divisional Playoff
The 49ers' playoff run ended in Tampa as the Buccaneers' defense shut them down 31–6.
The 2002 NFC Divisional Playoff was a game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, played on January 12, 2003. The Buccaneers, with the league's top-ranked defense during the 2002 regular season, forced five turnovers, sacked quarterback Jeff Garcia four times, and limited the 49ers to only two field goals. Tampa Bay quarterback Brad Johnson, who had been sidelined for a month, returned to throw for 196 yards and two touchdowns. Fullback Mike Alstott scored two touchdowns, while the Buccaneers won 31–6. The 49ers lost the next week in the divisional round to the eventual Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31–6.
Lore & Background
The 49ers had just completed a dramatic 39–38 Wild Card win over the New York Giants, overcoming a 38–14 deficit with 25 unanswered points. That win was the 26th playoff win in the team's history and, as of 2019, the fourth biggest comeback in NFL playoff history. However, the 49ers could not carry that momentum into the divisional round, as the Buccaneers' defense dominated. Head coach Steve Mariucci was fired after the season, the result of a power struggle with owner John York and new general manager Terry Donahue. 2002 was the last winning season for the 49ers until 2011.
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