Arizona Cardinals vs. Atlanta Falcons: 1999 Week 16 Recap

Game story

In Week 16 of the 1999 NFL season on 1999-12-26, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 37–14 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 27 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Plummer (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with -8.50 total EPA.

On the individual side, C. Chandler (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +15.45 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+42.2% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: M.Andersen kicks 67 yards from ATL 30 to ARI 3. M.Bates to ARI 20 for 17 yards (G.McBurrows).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 C. Chandler · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +15.45 total EPA · 28 snaps · +0.55 EPA/play
2. 2 B. Christian · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +7.75 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.86 EPA/play
3. 3 F. Sanders · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +5.57 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.39 EPA/play
4. 4 T. Dwight · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +3.86 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.96 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Mathis · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +3.64 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.91 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Hardy · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.56 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.64 EPA/play
7. 7 E. Baker · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.23 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Bates · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +1.70 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Atlanta Falcons — unlisted player (Q1 56:52)
• Arizona Cardinals — unlisted player (Q2 45:00)
• Arizona Cardinals — unlisted player (Q2 42:32)
• Atlanta Falcons — unlisted player (Q2 34:43)
• Atlanta Falcons — unlisted player (Q3 22:37)
• Atlanta Falcons — unlisted player (Q4 11:46)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — unlisted player (Q2 30:46)
• Atlanta Falcons — unlisted player (Q2 30:04)
• Atlanta Falcons — unlisted player (Q4 3:09)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the ARI 23 (Q1 56:52) — (11:52) C.Chandler pass to T.Mathis for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 51:50) — M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-C.Collins, Holder-D.Stryzinski..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 14–13. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) M.Bates up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 44:10) — C.Jacke extra point is GOOD, Center-T.Junkin, Holder-S.Player.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q2 42:32) — (12:32) M.Bates up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 38:18) — C.Jacke extra point is GOOD, Center-T.Junkin, Holder-S.Player.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q2 34:43) — (4:43) B.Christian up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 34:39) — M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-G.T.Thomass, Holder-D.Stryzinski.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the ARI 11 (Q2 30:46) — (:46) M.Andersen 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-G.T.Thomass, Holder-D.Stryzinski.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the ARI 7 (Q2 30:04) — (:04) M.Andersen 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-G.T.Thomass, Holder-D.Stryzinski..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q3 22:37) — (7:37) B.Hanspard right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Replay Official and Upheld.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 19:39) — M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-G.T.Thomass, Holder-D.Stryzinski..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the ARI 33 (Q4 11:46) — (11:46) B.Christian up the middle for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 10:06) — M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-G.T.Thomass, Holder-D.Stryzinski.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the ARI 23 (Q4 3:09) — (3:09) M.Andersen 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-G.T.Thomass, Holder-D.Stryzinski..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 60:00) — M.Andersen kicks 67 yards from ATL 30 to ARI 3. M.Bates to ARI 20 for 17 yards (G.McBurrows). [WPA +42.2% · EPA +0.00]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 34:43) — (4:43) B.Christian up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.5% · EPA +3.15]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 30:33) — (:33) J.Plummer pass INTERCEPTED by G.McBurrows at ATL 49. G.McBurrows ran ob at ARI 28 for 23 yards. [WPA -11.5% · EPA -2.69]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 31:45) — (1:45) C.Chandler pass to T.Dwight to ARI 16 for 29 yards (T.Bennett). [WPA +8.2% · EPA +2.18]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 42:32) — (12:32) J.Plummer pass to R.Moore to ATL 23 for 27 yards (E.Robinson). [WPA +8.1% · EPA +1.96]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 11:46) — (11:46) B.Christian up the middle for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +2.4% · EPA +4.50]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 9:56) — (9:56) J.Plummer pass to F.Sanders to ATL 24 for 63 yards (G.McBurrows). [WPA +0.4% · EPA +4.44]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 2:52) — (2:52) J.Plummer pass INTERCEPTED by M.Booker at ARI 46. M.Booker to ARI 46 for no gain (R.Moore). [WPA -0.0% · EPA -3.36]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 34:43) — (4:43) B.Christian up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.5% · EPA +3.15]

Quarterback report card

J.Plummer led all passers in efficiency for Arizona Cardinals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Plummer (Arizona Cardinals) · 30 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -0.28 EPA/play · -8.50 total EPA
• C.Chandler (Atlanta Falcons) · 28 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +0.55 EPA/play · +15.45 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Atlanta Falcons held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.22 vs -0.04), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Arizona Cardinals: 9 drives, -3.24 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
• Atlanta Falcons: 10 drives, +19.36 total EPA, 7 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Atlanta Falcons leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• C. Chandler (Atlanta Falcons) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 56:52 · ARI 23 · Score 0-6
   (11:52) C.Chandler pass to T.Mathis for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 51:50 · ARI 2 · Score 0-7
   M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-C.Collins, Holder-D.Stryzinski.
3. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · ATL 1 · Score 6-7
   (15:00) M.Bates up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 44:10 · ATL 2 · Score 7-7
   C.Jacke extra point is GOOD, Center-T.Junkin, Holder-S.Player.
5. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 42:32 · ATL 1 · Score 13-7
   (12:32) M.Bates up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 38:18 · ATL 2 · Score 14-7
   C.Jacke extra point is GOOD, Center-T.Junkin, Holder-S.Player.
7. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 34:43 · ARI 1 · Score 14-13
   (4:43) B.Christian up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 34:39 · ARI 2 · Score 14-14
   M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-G.T.Thomass, Holder-D.Stryzinski.
9. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 30:46 · ARI 11 · Score 14-17
   (:46) M.Andersen 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-G.T.Thomass, Holder-D.Stryzinski.
10. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 30:04 · ARI 7 · Score 14-20
    (:04) M.Andersen 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-G.T.Thomass, Holder-D.Stryzinski.
11. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 22:37 · ARI 1 · Score 14-26
    (7:37) B.Hanspard right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Replay Official and Upheld.
12. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 19:39 · ARI 2 · Score 14-27
    M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-G.T.Thomass, Holder-D.Stryzinski.
13. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 11:46 · ARI 33 · Score 14-33
    (11:46) B.Christian up the middle for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 10:06 · ARI 2 · Score 14-34
    M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-G.T.Thomass, Holder-D.Stryzinski.
15. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 3:09 · ARI 23 · Score 14-37
    (3:09) M.Andersen 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-G.T.Thomass, Holder-D.Stryzinski.