2013 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Season 38 Brief
The 2013 season was the franchise's 38th season in the National Football League, and the second under head coach Greg Schiano. It also marked the 19th and final season under the ownership of Malcolm Glazer, who died on May 28, 2014. The Buccaneers finished with a record of 4–12 and failed to improve their 7–9 record from last season, and were eliminated from postseason contention in Week 13.
Despite having a +10 turnover margin (tied for 3rd best in the NFL), and franchise rookie quarterback records from third round draft pick Mike Glennon, the overall offensive production ranked near the bottom of the league in most categories. The team ranked 32nd (last) in total yards, 32nd (last) in passing yards, 30th in total points scored. The team also had the third-most penalties in the league (121 for 1,136 yards), and ranked 31st in third down conversions. Running back Doug Martin went on injured reserve halfway through the season with a shoulder injury. His replacement, Bobby Rainey had a solid performance, scoring his first career touchdown, and setting a franchise record for longest touchdown run (80 yards). On the defensive side, the offseason news was highlighted by the free agent acquisition of Darrelle Revis, and Lavonte David's stellar numbers.
The team got off to a dismal start, which created considerable tension inside and outside the locker room, as well as among fans. The fan support of head coach Greg Schiano began to decay, as illustrated by a local radio station erecting a billboard carrying the message "Fire Schiano." The trouble started on opening day, as Tampa Bay had a last-second loss to the Jets, owing primarily to a personal foul late hit penalty, which advanced the Jets into field goal range, and an improbable comeback victory. Late-game losses to New Orleans, Arizona, and Seattle brought the Buccaneers to an 0–8 start. The Buccaneers won four of their next five games, but were ultimately eliminated from playoff contention by December, and they dropped the last three games.
One day after the conclusion of the regular season, head coach Greg Schiano and general manager Mark Dominik were fired.
For the first time since 2009, all eight regular season home games were announced as a "sellout," and no regular season games were blacked out locally.
Darrelle Revis was named the Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year.
Josh Freeman benching
The season started out on a rocky note, as reports of a rift between head coach Greg Schiano and starting quarterback Josh Freeman were coming from the locker room. Freeman was entering the final season of his contract, and trade rumors were already being tossed around by media and fans. An allegation surfaced that Schiano rigged the voting for team captains, which prevented Freeman from being selected by his teammates. The next day, Freeman missed the annual team photo session, an absence he blamed on "oversleeping." After starting the season 0–3, Freeman was quickly criticized for his poor offensive output, throwing a league-worst 45.3% completion percentage, two interceptions, and only two touchdown passes. It was also leaked that Freeman was a stage one participant in the NFL drug program, a situation related to his treatment of ADHD. On week four, Freeman was benched in favor of rookie Mike Glennon, and on October 3, 2013, Freeman was released from the team as he granted.
MRSA outbreak
During training camp, an outbreak of MRSA was reported in the Tampa Bay locker room. Carl Nicks and Lawrence Tynes contracted the infection over the summer. Nicks missed several games, while Tynes was placed on the non-football injured reserve list. After a third player, Johnthan Banks, was diagnosed in early October, the week 6 games against the Eagles was in jeopardy of postponement, due to concerns over transmission. However, it was held as scheduled after medical specialists and NFLPA representatives inspected the facility.
| PRESEASON | ||||
| Date | Opponent | Week/Record | Outcome | |
| Saturday Aug. 8 |
|
Baltimore Ravens Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
PS - wk 1
0-1 |
Lost 16-44 |
| Monday Aug. 16 |
|
@ New England Patriots
Gillette Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
PS - wk 2
0-2 |
Lost 21-25 |
| Saturday Aug. 23 |
 |
@ Miami Dolphins
Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL |
PS - wk 3
1-2 |
Won 17-16 |
| Thursday Aug. 28 |
|
Washington Redskins
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
PS - wk 4
1-3 |
Lost 12-30 |
2013 Season ResultsRecord: 4-12, 1-5 (4th in NFC South) |
||||
| Date | Opponent | Week/Record | Outcome | |
| Sunday Sep. 8 |
|
@ New York Jets
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
RS - wk 1
0-1 |
Lost 18-17 |
| Sunday Sep. 15 |
|
New Orleans Saints
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
RS - wk 2
0-2 |
Lost 16-14 |
| Sunday Sep. 22 |
|
@ New England Patriots
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA |
RS - wk 3
0-3 |
Lost 23-3 |
| Sunday Sep. 29 |
|
Arizona Cardinals
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
RS - wk 4
0-4 |
Lost 13-10 |
| Sunday Oct. 6 |
BYE | RS - wk 5
0-4 |
||
| Sunday Oct. 13 |
|
Philadelphia Eagles
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
RS - wk 6
0-5 |
Lost 31-20 |
| Sunday Oct. 20 |
|
@ Atlanta Falcons Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA |
RS - wk 7
0-6 |
Lost 31-23 |
| Sunday Oct. 24 |
|
Carolina Panthers
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
RS - wk 8
0-7 |
Lost 31-13 |
| Sunday Nov. 3 |
|
@ Seattle Seahawks
CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA |
RS - wk 9
0-8 |
Lost 27-24 |
| Monday Nov. 11 |
|
Miami Dolphins
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
RS - wk 10
1-8 |
Won 22-19 |
| Sunday Nov. 17 |
|
Atlanta Falcons
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
RS - wk 11
2-8 |
Won 41-28 |
| Sunday Nov. 24 |
|
@ Detroit Lions
Ford Field, Detroit, MI |
RS - wk 12
3-8 |
Won 24-21 |
| Sunday Dec. 1 |
|
@ Carolina Panthers
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC |
RS - wk 13
3-9 |
Lost 21-6 |
| Sunday Dec. 8 |
|
Buffalo Bills
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
RS - wk 14
4-9 |
Won 27-6 |
| Sunday Dec. 15 |
|
San Francisco 49ers
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
RS - wk 15
4-10 |
Lost 33-14 |
| Sunday Dec. 22 |
|
@ St. Louis Rams
Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, MO |
RS - wk 16
4-11 |
Lost 23-13 |
| Sunday Dec. 29 |
|
@ New Orleans Saints
Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA |
RS - wk 17
4-12 |
Lost 42-17 |
| PLAYOFFS | ||||
| Date | Opponent | NFC/Superbowl | Outcome | |
| Season Ended |
|
@ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL |
None
None |
00-00 |
