Game story
In Week 16 of the 1999 NFL season on 1999-12-26, the Buffalo Bills took care of business against the New England Patriots, pulling away with a 13–10 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Flutie (Buffalo Bills) paced the passing game, with +1.74 total EPA.
On the individual side, D. Flutie (Buffalo Bills) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +4.28 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-69.3% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when New England Patriots changed the game: (1:04) T.Allen up the middle to BUF 16 for 1 yard (J.Holecek, B.Smith).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q4 | OT | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Bills | 3 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
| New England Patriots | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 D. Flutie · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +4.28 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
- 2 P. Price · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +3.74 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
- 3 D. Flutie · Buffalo Bills · Passing · +1.74 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.04 EPA/play
- 4 K. Williams · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +1.73 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
- 5 B. Coates · New England Patriots · Receiving · +1.47 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.47 EPA/play
- 6 H. Shaw · New England Patriots · Receiving · +1.43 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
- 7 D. Bledsoe · New England Patriots · Rushing · +1.24 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
- 8 V. Brisby · New England Patriots · Receiving · +1.09 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
D. Flutie — BUF · Rushing
D. Flutie posted the highest total EPA (+4.28) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Buffalo Bills's efficiency. Across 6 counted snaps, they averaged +0.71 EPA per play.
The signature play (-7.05 EPA) came from New England Patriots: (1:04) T.Allen up the middle to BUF 16 for 1 yard (J.Holecek, B.Smith).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- New England Patriots — unlisted player
- Buffalo Bills — unlisted player
Field goals
- Buffalo Bills — unlisted player
- New England Patriots — unlisted player
- Buffalo Bills — unlisted player
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 3–0. Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the NE 21 (Q1 54:04) — (9:04) S.Christie 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-E.Albright, Holder-C.Mohr..
The second quarter: New England Patriots won the period 3–0. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the BUF 20 (Q2 30:03) — (:03) A.Vinatieri 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Bartrum, Holder-L.Johnson..
The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the BUF 14 (Q4 12:19) — (12:19) T.Allen right guard for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q4 12:15) — A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Bartrum, Holder-L.Johnson.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the NE 1 (Q4 8:47) — (8:47) J.Linton left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q4 4:23) — S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-E.Albright, Holder-C.Mohr..
Overtime: Buffalo Bills won the period 3–0. Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the NE 6 (OT 1:51) — (1:51) S.Christie 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-E.Albright, Holder-C.Mohr..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- New England Patriots (Q4 1:04) — (1:04) T.Allen up the middle to BUF 16 for 1 yard (J.Holecek, B.Smith).
- New England Patriots (Q1 60:00) — S.Christie kicks 71 yards from BUF 30 to NE -1. T.Brown to NE 31 for 32 yards (S.Moran, M.Perry).
- New England Patriots (Q4 0:06) — (:06) A.Vinatieri 33 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-M.Bartrum, Holder-L.Johnson.
- New England Patriots (OT 15:00) — (15:00) A.Vinatieri 44 yard field goal is No Good, Short, Center-M.Bartrum, Holder-L.Johnson.
- New England Patriots (OT 9:54) — (9:54) L.Johnson punts 24 yards to BUF 42, Center-M.Bartrum, out of bounds.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- New England Patriots (Q4 1:04) — (1:04) T.Allen up the middle to BUF 16 for 1 yard (J.Holecek, B.Smith).
- Buffalo Bills (Q4 14:50) — (14:50) J.Linton right guard to BUF 44 for 3 yards (C.Eaton). FUMBLES (C.Eaton), RECOVERED by NE-C.Eaton at BUF 44. C.Eaton to BUF 14 for 30 yards (D.Flutie). Play Challenged by BUF and Upheld. (Timeo
- Buffalo Bills (Q1 48:43) — (3:43) J.Linton left tackle to NE 20 for -1 yards (C.Sullivan). FUMBLES (C.Sullivan), RECOVERED by NE-C.Carter at NE 20.
- New England Patriots (Q1 49:00) — (4:00) T.Allen FUMBLES (Aborted) at NE 19, RECOVERED by BUF-K.Schulz at NE 19.
Quarterback report card
D.Flutie led all passers in efficiency for Buffalo Bills, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- D.Flutie (Buffalo Bills) · 39 dropbacks · 56.4% completion · +0.04 EPA/play · +1.74 total EPA
- D.Bledsoe (New England Patriots) · 28 dropbacks · 35.7% completion · -0.44 EPA/play · -12.42 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Buffalo Bills | New England Patriots |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.140 | -0.289 |
| Offensive success rate | 39.2% | 31.8% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.110 | -0.385 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.496 | -0.322 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.289 | +0.140 |
| Defensive success rate | 68.2% | 60.8% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Buffalo Bills generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.14 vs -0.29), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Buffalo Bills: 14 drives, -13.62 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- New England Patriots: 15 drives, -25.40 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Buffalo Bills leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- D. Flutie (Buffalo Bills) 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.
- Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q1 54:04 · NE 21 · Score 3-0
(9:04) S.Christie 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-E.Albright, Holder-C.Mohr. - New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 30:03 · BUF 20 · Score 3-3
(:03) A.Vinatieri 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Bartrum, Holder-L.Johnson. - New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 12:19 · BUF 14 · Score 3-9
(12:19) T.Allen right guard for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 12:15 · BUF 2 · Score 3-10
A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Bartrum, Holder-L.Johnson. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q4 8:47 · NE 1 · Score 9-10
(8:47) J.Linton left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q4 4:23 · NE 2 · Score 10-10
S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-E.Albright, Holder-C.Mohr. - Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — OT 1:51 · NE 6 · Score 13-10
(1:51) S.Christie 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-E.Albright, Holder-C.Mohr.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots?
The Buffalo Bills beat the New England Patriots 13-10 in Week 16, 1999 on 1999-12-26.
What was the final score of Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots?
The final score was Buffalo Bills 13, New England Patriots 10 (BUF 13-10 NE) in Week 16, 1999 on 1999-12-26.
What was the score by quarter in Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots?
Q1: Buffalo Bills 3, New England Patriots 0; Q2: Buffalo Bills 0, New England Patriots 3; Q4: Buffalo Bills 7, New England Patriots 7; Q5: Buffalo Bills 3, New England Patriots 0; Final: Buffalo Bills 13, New England Patriots 10.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots?
New England Patriots touchdown — unlisted player (Q4 12:19) Buffalo Bills touchdown — unlisted player (Q4 8:47) Buffalo Bills field goal — unlisted player (Q1 54:04, 3 pts) New England Patriots field goal — unlisted player (Q2 30:03, 3 pts) Buffalo Bills field goal — unlisted player (OT 1:51, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots?
D. Flutie (Buffalo Bills), 56.4% completion, +0.04 EPA per dropback, +1.74 total passing EPA. D. Bledsoe (New England Patriots), 35.7% completion, -0.44 EPA per dropback, -12.42 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots?
D. Flutie (Buffalo Bills) led the game in total EPA with +4.28 on rushing plays. across 6 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-7.05 EPA): (1:04) T.Allen up the middle to BUF 16 for 1 yard (J.Holecek, B.Smith).. The biggest win-probability swing was -69.3%.
Was Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. Buffalo Bills won 13-10 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Buffalo Bills
Entered 9-5 Now 10-5 W
New England Patriots
Entered 7-7 Now 7-8 L
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