1976 First Regular Season Win
From 0-26 to first win: The Bucs' rocky start.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (colloquially known as the Bucs) are a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) South division. They joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team, along with the Seattle Seahawks, and played their first season in 1976 as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) West division.
Quick Facts
- Season
- 1976
- Record
- 0-14
- Head coach
- John McKay
- Home stadium
- Tampa Stadium (The Big Orange)
- Division
- NFC Central
Lore & Background
The Buccaneers went 0–14 in their first season. They were outscored by an average of almost 21 points per game. Only three games ended with the Buccaneers within one possession. Until the Detroit Lions in 2008, the 1976 Buccaneers were the only Super Bowl-era team to go winless in a whole season. Their losing streak caused them to become the butt of late-night television comedians' jokes. Tampa Bay did not win their first game until the 13th week of their second season, starting with a record of 0–26 (though the Buccaneers had beaten the Atlanta Falcons, 17–3, in a 1976 pre-season game before their first regular season). Their first win came on December 11, 1977, on the road against the New Orleans Saints in Week 13.
Reader's Guide
The Buccaneers' first regular season win occurred in Week 13 of the 1977 season, a road victory over the New Orleans Saints. The team had started 0–26 before that win.
More in Iconic Games & Playoff Runs
Elsewhere in Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced