Shipshape Season for Buccaneers

As the clock ran down in Tampa Bay’s 20-6 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday, defensive tackle Warren Sapp grabbed a black NFC Central champions hat, put it on his head and ran over to the small cluster of Buccaneer fans at Soldier Field.

As the fans cheered, Sapp clapped his hands and pounded his chest while his teammates exchanged hugs and high-fives behind him. Even team owner Malcolm Glazer joined the festivities, wandering among the players with a huge grin.

After a long, often ugly, 18-year drought between division titles, this was one celebration the Buccaneers and their fans were going to savor.

“We’ve got two old banners and we’ve got a new one we’ll be putting up soon for the fans of Tampa Bay,” said Sapp, the Buccaneers’ emotional leader. “We’ve come a long way, no doubt about it. I’m just glad to be a part of it.”

The Buccaneers (11-5) also earned a first-round bye in the playoffs as Mike Alstott ran for a touchdown, Jacquez Green caught 10 passes for 113 yards and their defense held the Bears (6-10) to 257 total yards and two field goals.

“It’s a great feeling. This is everything we’ve been wanting to do,” said Alstott, in his third season with the Buccaneers. “To do it the way we did, starting 3-4 and ending up 7-1, it’s kind of sweet.”

Even the weather cooperated for Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers are 0-17 in games when the temperature at kickoff is below 40 degrees--with six of those losses coming at Soldier Field. But the temperature at kickoff Sunday was an unseasonably balmy 54 degrees.