Quarterback Johnson steers Tampa to title

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' top-ranked defence defused the Oakland Raiders' league-leading offence to claim a 48-21 win at Super…

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' top-ranked defence defused the Oakland Raiders' league-leading offence to claim a 48-21 win at Super Bowl XXXVII last night.

Tampa Bay's relentless defence intercepted five passes and returned three for touchdowns - two by Dwight Smith and another from Derrick Brooks.

It was Tampa Bay's first Super Bowl victory.

Even a late-game lapse that allowed the Raiders score three touchdowns and cut the deficit to 34-21 could not detract from one of the most dominating defensive displays ever witnessed at a Super Bowl.

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Tampa allowed Oakland just 62 yards in total offence in the opening half - the second-lowest in the 37-year history of the NFL championship game.

Tampa Bay's journeyman quarterback Brad Johnson, whose route to the Super Bowl included a stint in Europe with the defunct London Monarchs, completed 18 of 34 passes for 215-yards and a pair touchdowns.

His offensive play helped Tampa put 27-years of misery behind them - including the longest winless run in NFL history - as the team deservedly lifted the title under 39-year-old coach Jon Gruden.