The Bucs' About-face

The Buccaneers, who haven't finished with a winning record since the strike-shortened 1982 season, are 3-0 and, after their 28-14 win over the Vikings on Sunday, the only undefeated team in the NFC. But Tampa Bay's turnaround actually dates hack to last season, when the Bucs won five of their final seven games and embattled quarterback Trent Dilfer started producing, particularly on third down. "I'm determined to be the best third*down quarterback in the NFL," he says. Through three weeks Dilfer has the league's third-best quarterback rating on third down. Here's how Dilfer's numbers as a starter have changed since the Bucs fell to 1-8 with a 13-10 loss to the Bears last Nov. 3.

[This article contains a table. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]