Bucs spring Super Bowl surprise

Brad Johnson led a controlled Buccaneers offence

Tampa Bay 48-21 Oakland

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won their first-ever Super Bowl by crushing the Oakland Raiders in San Diego.

Super Bowl XXXVII as it happened

Their emphatic victory over the pre-game favourites capped a memorable debut season for coach Jon Gruden, who controversially left the Raiders in a big-money move last year.

Super Bowl facts

Buccaneers 48:
TDs: Alstott, McCardell 2, Brooks, Smith 2
Cons: Gramatica 6
FGs: Gramatica 2

Raiders 21:
TDs: Porter, Johnson, Rice
FG: Janikowski

Gruden, 39, frequently second-guessed his old team to call an immaculate game from the sidelines and became the youngest coach to win the NFL's season finale.

He was well served by the Bucs' explosive defence and by an in-form offence, led by quarterback Brad Johnson.

Pictures of Tampa's triumph

Johnson won his personal duel with the NFL's regular-season MVP Rich Gannon, who was consistently hounded into errors by Tampa's destructive defensive line.

Oakland did take the lead on their first drive, converting a field goal from 40 yards.

Gannon: Brought crashing down in San Diego

But their Super Bowl bid then unravelled as Johnson helped the Buccaneers to score 34 unanswered points.

He combined with receiver Keenan McCardell on two precise touchdown passes, while the impressive Mike Alstott also ran into the endzone after sterling work by running back Michael Pittman.

Your say: Is Tampa's defence the best ever?

Oakland, meanwhile, added to their own problems by turning over the ball under intense pressure from defensive giants Warren Sapp, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks.

The nation's top-ranked offence stuttered and stalled as Gannon uncharacteristically threw five interceptions, three of which were returned for touchdowns.

We were waiting for the right man and the right man came - Jon Gruden

Malcolm Glazer
Tampa Bay owner

The Raiders briefly threatened a comeback during a wild start to the fourth quarter, which saw NFL legend Jerry Rice put his stamp on the game with a serene touchdown receipt.

But they were flattered by the 34-21 scoreline and Tampa deservedly extended their lead to romp home as worthy winners.

Dexter Jackson, who made two important first-half interceptions that both led to Tampa scores, was voted the Super Bowl MVP.