The final outcome in the Super Bowl XXXVII matchup between the Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have nothing to do with their last meeting.
However, you are probably wondering when it last took place. The answer: December 19, 1999 with the Raiders winning in a 45-0 whitewash. That loss did not hurt the Bucs, who went on to reach the NFC Championship Game (a 11-6 loss to St. Louis). The Raiders, who are 4-1 lifetime against Tampa Bay, went on to finish that season 8-8 but that win perhaps gave them confidence that carried into the following season, when Oakland began a stretch of three consecutive division championship seasons.
Raiders rookie outside linebacker Eric Barton, who made his first career start, sacked Bucs quarterback Shaun King on the first play from scrimmage and Oakland dominated throughout the day.
Oakland produced 262 yards rushing with Napoleon Kaufman (122) and Tyrone Wheatley (111) leading the way and scoring two touchdowns each. Quarterback Rich Gannon had an efficient day throwing the ball, 15-of-26 for 141 yards and a touchdown.
The Raider defense completely stymied Tampa Bay in allowing just 137 yards of total offense. Oakland sacked King four times and intercepted him once.
Vince D’Adamo can be reached via e-mail at vdad7@yahoo.com