The first victory overall for
the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, did not come until week 13 on the road against the Saints, almost two seasons after their first game against
the Houston Oilers in 1976. The Bucs led at halftime by a score of 13–0. Dave Green had two field goals, while Gary Huff threw a touchdown pass to Morris Owens. Upon their arrival in Tampa Bay, the Bucs were greeted by 8,000 fans. The Saints were 11-point favorites before the game, and fans booed as the Buccaneers scored. "Eleven years I've supported this franchise!" one shouted, adding, "With all this money I've spent on this lousy team I could have bought some land in Colombia and raised pot." Losing to a team with a 0–26 losing streak was so humiliating that safety
Tom Myers said, "We've been made the laughingstocks of the business ... I'm too embarrassed to say that I play for the team that got beat by Tampa Bay." Said head coach
Hank Stram, "We're all very ashamed of what happened today. Ashamed for our people, for our fans, the organization, everybody. It is my worst coaching experience." Team owner
John Mecom said during the loss that the Saints "is a poorly coached team", and Stram was fired January 28, 1978.
Schedule Season summary Week 1: vs Green Bay Packers Week 3 at Chicago Bears Week 4: vs San Diego Chargers Week 10 vs. Atlanta Falcons • TV Network:
CBS • Announcers:
Gary Bender,
Johnny Unitas Atlanta, which had never given up more than 14 points in a game this year, tried to keep it that way with one minute to go, in front of a Regional TV Audience - in New Orleans - And Archie Manning was waiting. The Saints quarterback, back in action for the first time in six weeks, throw a 18-yard TD Pass, his second scoring strike to
Henry Childs. It was
Hank Stram's 136th victory as a head coach.
Standings == Notes ==