Recap
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
Mike Alstott ran for two touchdowns and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers crushed the 49ers 31-6 at Raymond James Stadium in the NFC Divisional playoffs. Jeff Garcia threw three interceptions and 193 yards. Brad Johnson threw two touchdowns for Tampa Bay. The 49ers managed two Wade Richey field goals and no touchdowns. The 49ers' season ended in the Divisional round. Steve Mariucci was fired ten days later despite the 10-6 regular-season finish.[1][2][3]
Columnist recap
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
Mike Alstott ran for two touchdowns Sunday afternoon at Raymond James Stadium. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers crushed the 49ers 31-6 in the NFC Divisional playoffs. The kind of Divisional road defeat where, against the league's best defense, the year's identity tape produced the kind of game the Buccaneers' defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin had been building his Tampa-2 system to produce for a decade.
Jeff Garcia, one week after the historic Wild Card home comeback, threw three interceptions in his 41-attempt passing day. The kind of postseason performance that gets evaluated by a head coach's general manager the day after. Garrison Hearst ran for 55 yards. Terrell Owens caught five for 47 (well below the 177 from the previous Sunday). Tai Streets caught five for 62. The 49ers' offense produced two Wade Richey field goals and no touchdowns.
Brad Johnson threw two touchdown passes. Mike Alstott ran for two touchdowns. The Bucs' defense produced three interceptions of Garcia and multiple sacks. The franchise's first Divisional appearance since 1998 ran into the defensive performance the offseason had been warning about.
11-7. Tampa Bay went on to win Super Bowl XXXVII. Steve Mariucci was fired ten days later despite the 10-6 regular season. Dennis Erickson hired in February.
By the numbers
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
Buccaneers 31, 49ers 6. Margin: -25. Divisional.
* Brad Johnson: 15-of-31 for 196, 2 TDs, 1 INT.
* Mike Alstott: 17 carries for 60, 2 TDs.
* Michael Pittman: receiving production.
* Jeff Garcia: 22-of-41 for 193, 0 TDs, 3 INTs.
* Garrison Hearst: 10 carries for 55.
* Terrell Owens: 5 catches for 47.
* Tai Streets: 5 catches for 62.
* Wade Richey: 2 FGs.
* Bucs D: 3 INTs of Garcia, multiple sacks.
* 49ers season ends 11-7; Bucs advance to NFC Championship (would win Super Bowl XXXVII).
* Steve Mariucci fired 10 days later.
Film room
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
A 31-6 NFC Divisional road loss at Raymond James Stadium. The 49ers' season ends in the Divisional round. Steve Mariucci is fired ten days later. Tampa Bay advances to the NFC Championship and goes on to win Super Bowl XXXVII.
How it unfolded
Tampa Bay scored on its opening drive with a Brad Johnson touchdown to make it 7-0. Wade Richey added a 49ers field goal to make it 7-3. The Buccaneers added a Mike Alstott rushing touchdown to push the lead to 14-3. The second quarter was where the game broke open: a Brad Johnson second touchdown to push the lead to 21-3, then a Mike Alstott second rushing touchdown to make it 28-3 at halftime. The third quarter was a Martin Gramatica field goal to make it 31-3. The 49ers added a Richey field goal in the fourth quarter to close it 31-6. The Buccaneers' defense produced three interceptions of Garcia throughout.
The turning point
The Buccaneers' second-quarter touchdown drives. With the score 14-3 and the 49ers' offense looking for the kind of equalizing drive the Wild Card comeback had produced, Tampa Bay's two scoring possessions (one Brad Johnson, one Alstott) gave the Bucs the kind of two-touchdown halftime lead the league's best defense could close out. The 49ers' offense produced no touchdowns the rest of the day against the kind of Tampa-2 defensive front the Bucs had been building under Monte Kiffin for a decade.
By the numbers
Garcia 193 passing on 41 attempts with no TDs and three INTs. Hearst 55 rushing on 10 carries. Owens 47 receiving on 5 catches (held well below his Wild Card 177-yard performance). Tai Streets 62 receiving on 5 catches. Eric Johnson 23 receiving. Brad Johnson 196 passing on 31 attempts with two TDs. Mike Alstott 60 rushing with two TDs. Michael Pittman receiving production. Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks the kind of defensive front-seven leaders that defined the game.
Personnel watch
Garcia's three-INT game one week after the Wild Card comeback. Owens held to 47 receiving yards by the Tampa-2 coverage scheme. Hearst's modest day against the league's best run defense. The offense's zero-touchdown game.
What it means
11-7 with the season ended in the Divisional round. Tampa Bay advanced to beat the Eagles in the NFC Championship, then defeated the Raiders 48-21 in Super Bowl XXXVII. Steve Mariucci was fired ten days later by Terry Donahue and the front office. Dennis Erickson hired February 2003. The postseason exit ends one era and starts the next.
