Game story
In Week 16 of the 1999 NFL season on 1999-12-25, the Denver Broncos took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 17–7 final that built a comfortable lead.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
C. Batch (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with -4.82 total EPA.
On the individual side, G. Crowell (Detroit Lions) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +5.46 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+55.8% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Detroit Lions changed the game: J.Elam kicks 62 yards from DEN 30 to DET 8. D.Howard to DET 32 for 24 yards (C.Watson).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q3 | Q4 | — | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | 10 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Detroit Lions | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 G. Crowell · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +5.46 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play
- 2 B. Chamberlain · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +4.56 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.14 EPA/play
- 3 H. Moore · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.02 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.67 EPA/play
- 4 E. McCaffrey · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +2.66 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
- 5 B. Griese · Denver Broncos · Passing · +2.59 total EPA · 33 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
- 6 D. Carswell · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +1.78 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
- 7 D. Sloan · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +0.88 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
- 8 G. Crowell · Detroit Lions · Rushing · +0.77 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
G. Crowell — DET · Receiving
G. Crowell posted the highest total EPA (+5.46) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Detroit Lions's efficiency. Across 9 counted snaps, they averaged +0.61 EPA per play.
The signature play (+4.43 EPA) came from Denver Broncos: (14:50) O.Gary left end for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Denver Broncos — unlisted player
- Denver Broncos — unlisted player
- Detroit Lions — unlisted player
Field goals
- Denver Broncos — unlisted player
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The third quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 10–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the DET 45 (Q3 29:50) — (14:50) O.Gary left end for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q3 29:18) — J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-T.Teague, Holder-T.Rouen.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the DET 14 (Q3 27:57) — (12:57) J.Elam 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-T.Teague, Holder-T.Rouen..
The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) B.Griese pass to D.Carswell for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 13:37) — J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-T.Teague, Holder-T.Rouen.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DEN 13 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) C.Batch pass to H.Moore for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DEN-T.James, Defensive Pass Interference, declined.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 1:56) — J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Compton, Holder-J.Jett..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Detroit Lions (Q1 60:00) — J.Elam kicks 62 yards from DEN 30 to DET 8. D.Howard to DET 32 for 24 yards (C.Watson).
- Denver Broncos (Q3 29:50) — (14:50) O.Gary left end for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Denver Broncos (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) B.Griese pass INTERCEPTED by M.Carrier at DET -5. M.Carrier to DET 11 for 16 yards (M.Lepsis).
- Denver Broncos (Q2 42:40) — (12:40) (Shotgun) B.Griese pass to B.Chamberlain to DET 47 for 21 yards (L.Campbell, R.Rice). Penalty on DET-R.Bailey, Defensive Offside, declined.
- Detroit Lions (Q2 31:45) — (1:45) C.Batch pass to G.Crowell to DET 30 for 19 yards (D.Johnson).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Denver Broncos (Q3 29:50) — (14:50) O.Gary left end for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Denver Broncos (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) B.Griese pass INTERCEPTED by M.Carrier at DET -5. M.Carrier to DET 11 for 16 yards (M.Lepsis).
- Detroit Lions (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) C.Batch pass to H.Moore for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DEN-T.James, Defensive Pass Interference, declined.
- Detroit Lions (Q4 13:27) — (13:27) C.Batch pass incomplete to J.Morton.
Quarterback report card
C.Batch led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- C.Batch (Detroit Lions) · 46 dropbacks · 45.7% completion · -0.10 EPA/play · -4.82 total EPA
- B.Griese (Denver Broncos) · 33 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +0.08 EPA/play · +2.59 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Denver Broncos | Detroit Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.033 | -0.104 |
| Offensive success rate | 45.1% | 39.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.056 | -0.066 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.013 | -0.480 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.104 | -0.033 |
| Defensive success rate | 61.0% | 54.9% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Denver Broncos generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.03 vs -0.10), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Denver Broncos: 12 drives, +3.00 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Detroit Lions: 11 drives, -8.04 total EPA, 1 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Denver Broncos leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- G. Crowell (Detroit Lions) 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.
- Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 29:50 · DET 45 · Score 6-0
(14:50) O.Gary left end for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 29:18 · DET 2 · Score 7-0
J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-T.Teague, Holder-T.Rouen. - Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q3 27:57 · DET 14 · Score 10-0
(12:57) J.Elam 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-T.Teague, Holder-T.Rouen. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 15:00 · DET 1 · Score 16-0
(15:00) B.Griese pass to D.Carswell for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 13:37 · DET 2 · Score 17-0
J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-T.Teague, Holder-T.Rouen. - Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 2:00 · DEN 13 · Score 17-6
(2:00) C.Batch pass to H.Moore for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DEN-T.James, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. - Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 1:56 · DEN 2 · Score 17-7
J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Compton, Holder-J.Jett.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Denver Broncos vs Detroit Lions?
The Denver Broncos beat the Detroit Lions 17-7 in Week 16, 1999 on 1999-12-25.
What was the final score of Denver Broncos vs Detroit Lions?
The final score was Denver Broncos 17, Detroit Lions 7 (DEN 17-7 DET) in Week 16, 1999 on 1999-12-25.
What was the score by quarter in Denver Broncos vs Detroit Lions?
Q3: Denver Broncos 10, Detroit Lions 0; Q4: Denver Broncos 7, Detroit Lions 7; Final: Denver Broncos 17, Detroit Lions 7.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Denver Broncos vs Detroit Lions?
Denver Broncos touchdown — unlisted player (Q3 29:50) Denver Broncos touchdown — unlisted player (Q4 15:00) Detroit Lions touchdown — unlisted player (Q4 2:00) Denver Broncos field goal — unlisted player (Q3 27:57, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Denver Broncos vs Detroit Lions?
C. Batch (Detroit Lions), 45.7% completion, -0.10 EPA per dropback, -4.82 total passing EPA. B. Griese (Denver Broncos), 66.7% completion, +0.08 EPA per dropback, +2.59 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Denver Broncos vs Detroit Lions?
G. Crowell (Detroit Lions) led the game in total EPA with +5.46 on receiving plays. across 9 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+4.43 EPA): (14:50) O.Gary left end for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +55.8%.
Season records after this game
Denver Broncos
Entered 5-9 Now 6-9 W
Detroit Lions
Entered 8-6 Now 8-7 L
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