2012 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Season 37 Brief
The 2012 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was the franchise's 37th season in the National Football League. It was the first season under new head coach Greg Schiano after the former head coach Raheem Morris was fired due to the team's record of 4–12 last season. This is Ronde Barber's last season before retiring in the 2013 off-season.
Though the club did not make the postseason, the team improved their record to 7–9, and finished the regular season with team records in several statistical categories. The team set a franchise record with 5,820 yards of total offense and 389 total points scored. The defense ranked #1 in the league against the rush (82.5 yard/game), also a franchise record. Individual team records include most touchdown passes (27) and most passing yards (4,065) by Josh Freeman, as well as Doug Martin's team rookie rushing record of 1,454 yards. Martin finished with five games of 100+ yards rushing, including a breakout game against Oakland in week 9 rushing for 251 yards and four touchdowns. They also finished with the league's worst passing defense, allowing 4,758 yards (297 yard/game).
Season Summary
New head coach Greg Schiano installed a new regime and attitude at Tampa Bay upon his arrival. An improved offense set several team records and milestones, and the team ranked #1 in rushing defense in the NFL. A weak passing defense (32nd), however, and a five-game losing streak late in the season, saw the team ultimately fall from playoff contention.
Tampa Bay won on opening day, but lost three straight games to NFC East opponents in September. However, the team rebounded and won five of their next six games, primarily behind the breakout efforts of rookie running back Doug Martin. In week 8, the team raised eyebrows by winning a nationally televised Thursday night game against the playoff-bound Vikings, then followed it up by a stellar performance by Martin the following week. At Oakland in week 9, Martin rushed for 251 yards and four touchdowns, one of the most prolific statistical performances in NFL history. After a comeback overtime win at Carolina, the team sat at 6–4, and actually controlled their own destiny for a wild card playoff berth.
Late in November, however, the team began a slump, and fell from the playoff picture. A one-point loss against Atlanta, and a last-second loss versus Philadelphia were part of a five-game losing streak. The team rebounded and finished on a high note, beating the #1 seed Falcons on the road in the final week of the regular season. After a dismal 4–12 record in 2011, the team finished a fairly respectable 7–9 in 2012.
| PRESEASON | ||||
| Date | Opponent | Week/Record | Outcome | |
| Saturday Aug. 10 |
|
@ Miami Dolphins Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL |
PS - wk 1
1-0 |
Won 20-7 |
| Monday Aug. 17 |
|
Tennessee Titans
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
PS - wk 2
1-1 |
Lost 7-30 |
| Saturday Aug. 24 |
 |
New England Patriots
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
PS - wk 3
2-1 |
Won 30-28 |
| Thursday Aug. 29 |
|
@ Washington Redskins
FedEx Field, Landover, MA |
PS - wk 4
2-2 |
Lost 3-30 |
2012 Season ResultsRecord: 7-9, 3-3 (4th in NFC South) |
||||
| Date | Opponent | Week/Record | Outcome | |
| Sunday Sep. 9 |
|
Carolina Panthers Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
RS - wk 1
1-0 |
Won 16-10 |
| Sunday Sep. 16 |
|
@ New York Giants
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
RS - wk 2
1-1 |
Lost 34-41 |
| Sunday Sep. 23 |
|
@ Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, TX |
RS - wk 3
1-2 |
Lost 10-16 |
| Sunday Sep. 30 |
|
Washington Redskins
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
RS - wk 4
1-3 |
Lost 22-24 |
| Sunday Oct. 7 |
BYE | RS - wk 5
1-3 |
||
| Sunday Oct. 14 |
|
Kansas City Chiefs
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
RS - wk 6
2-3 |
Won 38-10 |
| Sunday Oct. 21 |
|
New Orleans Saints Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
RS - wk 7
2-4 |
Lost 28-35 |
| Thursday Oct. 25 |
|
@ Minnesota Vikings
Mall of America Field, Minneapolis, MN |
RS - wk 8
3-4 |
Won 36-17 |
| Sunday Nov. 4 |
|
@ Oakland Raiders
Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, CA |
RS - wk 9
4-4 |
Won 42-32 |
| Sunday Nov. 11 |
|
San Diego Chargers
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
RS - wk 10
5-4 |
Won 34-24 |
| Sunday Nov. 18 |
|
@ Carolina Panthers
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC |
RS - wk 11
6-4 |
Won 27-21 (OT) |
| Sunday Nov. 25 |
|
Atlanta Falcons
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
RS - wk 12
6-5 |
Lost 23-24 |
| Sunday Dec. 2 |
|
@ Denver Broncos
Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, CO |
RS - wk 13
6-6 |
Lost 23-31 |
| Sunday Dec. 9 |
|
Philadelphia Eagles
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
RS - wk 14
6-7 |
Lost 21-23 |
| Sunday Dec. 16 |
|
@ New Orleans Saints
Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA |
RS - wk 15
6-8 |
Lost 0-41 |
| Sunday Dec. 23 |
|
St. Louis Rams
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
RS - wk 16
6-9 |
Lost 13-28 |
| Sunday Dec. 30 |
|
@ Atlanta Falcons Georgia Dome, New Atlanta, GA |
RS - wk 17
7-9 |
Won 22-17 |
| PLAYOFFS | ||||
| Date | Opponent | NFC/Superbowl | Outcome | |
| Season Ended |
|
@ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
None
None |
00-00 |
