FantasyHQ · Game Recap

NFL · Week 17 · January 2, 2000 · 12 min read

Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings: 1999 Week 17 Recap

Vikings defeat Lions 24–17 in Week 17

J.Morton led Fantasy Impact as Vikings prevailed in a 17–24 Week 17 finish.

Detroit Lions 17 8–8
Final 17–24
Minnesota Vikings 24 10–6 Winner
Winner
Minnesota Vikings
Final score
17–24
Halftime
Detroit Lions 10–17 Minnesota Vikings
Top passer
Jacolby George
FantasyHQ MVP
J.Morton
Game date
January 2, 2000

Top fantasy performers · Lions

  • J.Morton 10 REC · 128 YDS · 2 TD +12.2 Fantasy Impact
  • C.Batch 17/29 · 141 YDS · 1 TD +8.6 Fantasy Impact
  • G.Crowell 8 REC · 120 YDS +7.1 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Vikings

  • Riley Moss
    Riley Moss 5 REC · 155 YDS · 1 TD +9.3 Fantasy Impact
  • Jacolby George 14/30 · 242 YDS · 1 TD +6.5 Fantasy Impact
  • L.Hoard 7 CAR · 41 YDS · 1 TD +5.0 Fantasy Impact

Quick answer

Winner
Minnesota Vikings
Final score
Minnesota Vikings 24–17 Detroit Lions
Halftime
Detroit Lions 10–17 Minnesota Vikings at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
J. Morton
Top passer
Jacolby George
Biggest EPA play
(4:56) G.Frerotte pass to J.Morton for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Game date
2000-01-02

Game summary

The Minnesota Vikings beat the Detroit Lions 24–17 on 2000-01-02. J. Morton posted a game-high +12.16 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 14 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q4T
Detroit Lions7370017
Minnesota Vikings71070024

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

DETDetroit Lions
MINMinnesota Vikings

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

12 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q1 10:42TD

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 4
    Score
    0-6

    (10:42) R.Smith up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  2. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q1 9:12XP

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    0-7

    G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Morris, Holder-M.Berger.

  3. DETDetroit Lions
    Q1 9:12TD

    Points+6

    Yard line
    MIN 6
    Score
    6-7

    (9:12) C.Batch pass to J.Morton for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  4. DETDetroit Lions
    Q1 0:55XP

    Points+1

    Yard line
    MIN 2
    Score
    7-7

    J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Compton, Holder-J.Jett.

  5. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q2 15:00FG

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 26
    Score
    7-10

    (15:00) G.Anderson 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Morris, Holder-M.Berger.

  6. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 12:53FG

    Points+3

    Yard line
    MIN 21
    Score
    10-10

    (12:53) J.Hanson 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Compton, Holder-J.Jett.

  7. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q2 7:12TD

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 67
    Score
    10-16

    (7:12) J.George pass to R.Moss for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  8. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q2 5:44XP

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    10-17

    G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Morris, Holder-M.Berger.

  9. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q4 11:01TD

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 3
    Score
    10-23

    (11:01) L.Hoard up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  10. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q4 4:56XP

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    10-24

    G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Morris, Holder-M.Berger.

  11. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 4:56TD

    Points+6

    Yard line
    MIN 36
    Score
    16-24

    (4:56) G.Frerotte pass to J.Morton for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  12. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 2:16XP

    Points+1

    Yard line
    MIN 2
    Score
    17-24

    J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Compton, Holder-J.Jett.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1J. Morton · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +12.16 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.87 EPA/play
  2. 2Riley MossRiley Moss · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +9.34 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.17 EPA/play
  3. 3C. Batch · Detroit Lions · Passing · +8.57 total EPA · 29 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
  4. 4G. Crowell · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +7.13 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.55 EPA/play
  5. 5Jacolby George · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +6.45 total EPA · 30 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
  6. 6L. Hoard · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +4.96 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
  7. 7C. Carter · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.66 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.73 EPA/play
  8. 8D. Sloan · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.19 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

J. Morton — DET · Receiving

J. Morton posted the highest total EPA (+12.16) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Detroit Lions. Across 14 counted snaps, they averaged +0.87 EPA per play.

J. Morton's top snap (+6.30 EPA): (4:56) G.Frerotte pass to J.Morton for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

Jacolby George led all passers in efficiency for Minnesota Vikings, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • Jacolby George (Minnesota Vikings) · 30 dropbacks · 46.7% completion · +0.21 EPA/play · +6.45 total EPA
  • C. Batch (Detroit Lions) · 29 dropbacks · 58.6% completion · +0.30 EPA/play · +8.57 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatDetroit LionsMinnesota Vikings
Offensive EPA/play+0.012+0.075
Offensive success rate41.9%46.3%
Pass EPA/play+0.147+0.215
Rush EPA/play-0.527-0.032
Defensive EPA/play-0.075-0.012
Defensive success rate53.7%58.1%

Drive & efficiency notes

Minnesota Vikings held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.07 vs +0.01), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Detroit Lions: +0.01 EPA/play (61st percentile vs. 1999 team-game averages)
  • Minnesota Vikings: +0.07 EPA/play (76th percentile vs. 1999 team-game averages)
  • Detroit Lions: 10 drives, +0.99 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
  • Minnesota Vikings: 10 drives, +6.15 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • Minnesota Vikings — unlisted player (Q1 10:42)
  • Detroit Lions — unlisted player (Q1 9:12)
  • Minnesota Vikings — unlisted player (Q2 7:12)
  • Minnesota Vikings — unlisted player (Q4 11:01)
  • Detroit Lions — unlisted player (Q4 4:56)

Field goals

  • Minnesota Vikings — unlisted player (Q2 15:00)
  • Detroit Lions — unlisted player (Q2 12:53)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 4 (Q1 10:42) — (10:42) R.Smith up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 9:12) — G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Morris, Holder-M.Berger.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 6 (Q1 9:12) — (9:12) C.Batch pass to J.Morton for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q1 0:55) — J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Compton, Holder-J.Jett..

The second quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 10–3. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the DET 26 (Q2 15:00) — (15:00) G.Anderson 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Morris, Holder-M.Berger.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the MIN 21 (Q2 12:53) — (12:53) J.Hanson 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Compton, Holder-J.Jett.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 67 (Q2 7:12) — (7:12) J.George pass to R.Moss for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 5:44) — G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Morris, Holder-M.Berger..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 3 (Q4 11:01) — (11:01) L.Hoard up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 4:56) — G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Morris, Holder-M.Berger.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 36 (Q4 4:56) — (4:56) G.Frerotte pass to J.Morton for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q4 2:16) — J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Compton, Holder-J.Jett..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Minnesota Vikings (Q1 15:00) — J.Hanson kicks 72 yards from DET 30 to MIN -2. R.Tate pushed ob at MIN 35 for 37 yards (C.Schlesinger). [WPA +56.6% · EPA +0.84]
  • Minnesota Vikings (Q2 7:12) — (7:12) J.George pass to R.Moss for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +17.6% · EPA +5.99]
  • Detroit Lions (Q1 13:28) — (13:28) C.Batch sacked at MIN 31 for -4 yards (J.Randle). FUMBLES (J.Randle), RECOVERED by MIN-D.Clemons at MIN 35. [WPA -17.1% · EPA -5.63]
  • Detroit Lions (Q2 2:42) — (2:42) G.Frerotte pass intended for G.Crowell INTERCEPTED by R.Tate at MIN 10. R.Tate ran ob at MIN 28 for 18 yards. [WPA -15.4% · EPA -4.29]
  • Minnesota Vikings (Q2 15:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) J.George pass to R.Moss pushed ob at DET 26 for 17 yards (B.Westbrook). [WPA +11.8% · EPA +2.45]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Detroit Lions (Q4 4:56) — (4:56) G.Frerotte pass to J.Morton for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +0.1% · EPA +6.30]
  • Minnesota Vikings (Q2 7:12) — (7:12) J.George pass to R.Moss for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +17.6% · EPA +5.99]
  • Detroit Lions (Q1 13:28) — (13:28) C.Batch sacked at MIN 31 for -4 yards (J.Randle). FUMBLES (J.Randle), RECOVERED by MIN-D.Clemons at MIN 35. [WPA -17.1% · EPA -5.63]
  • Minnesota Vikings (Q1 15:00) — (15:00) R.Smith left guard to DET 46 for 8 yards (R.Rice). FUMBLES (R.Rice), RECOVERED by DET-T.Scroggins at DET 46. Play Challenged by MIN and Upheld. (Timeout #1 at 13:28.) [WPA -10.3% · EPA -4.42]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 10:42 · DET 4 · Score 0-6
    (10:42) R.Smith up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  2. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 9:12 · DET 2 · Score 0-7
    G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Morris, Holder-M.Berger.
  3. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 9:12 · MIN 6 · Score 6-7
    (9:12) C.Batch pass to J.Morton for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  4. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 0:55 · MIN 2 · Score 7-7
    J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Compton, Holder-J.Jett.
  5. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 15:00 · DET 26 · Score 7-10
    (15:00) G.Anderson 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Morris, Holder-M.Berger.
  6. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 12:53 · MIN 21 · Score 10-10
    (12:53) J.Hanson 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Compton, Holder-J.Jett.
  7. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 7:12 · DET 67 · Score 10-16
    (7:12) J.George pass to R.Moss for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  8. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 5:44 · DET 2 · Score 10-17
    G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Morris, Holder-M.Berger.
  9. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 11:01 · DET 3 · Score 10-23
    (11:01) L.Hoard up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  10. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 4:56 · DET 2 · Score 10-24
    G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Morris, Holder-M.Berger.
  11. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 4:56 · MIN 36 · Score 16-24
    (4:56) G.Frerotte pass to J.Morton for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  12. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 2:16 · MIN 2 · Score 17-24
    J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Compton, Holder-J.Jett.

Key takeaways

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

  • Minnesota Vikings earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • J. Morton (Detroit Lions) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings on 2000-01-02?

The Minnesota Vikings beat the Detroit Lions 24-17 in Week 17, 1999.

What was the score by quarter in Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings?

Q1: Detroit Lions 7, Minnesota Vikings 7; Q2: Detroit Lions 3, Minnesota Vikings 10; Q4: Detroit Lions 7, Minnesota Vikings 7; Final: Detroit Lions 17, Minnesota Vikings 24.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings?

Minnesota Vikings touchdown — unlisted player (Q1 10:42) Detroit Lions touchdown — unlisted player (Q1 9:12) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — unlisted player (Q2 7:12) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — unlisted player (Q4 11:01) Detroit Lions touchdown — unlisted player (Q4 4:56) Minnesota Vikings field goal — unlisted player (Q2 15:00, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — unlisted player (Q2 12:53, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings?

Jacolby George (Minnesota Vikings), 46.7% completion, +0.21 EPA per dropback, +6.45 total passing EPA. C. Batch (Detroit Lions), 58.6% completion, +0.30 EPA per dropback, +8.57 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings?

J. Morton (Detroit Lions) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +12.16 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 14 snaps. Their top snap (+6.30 EPA): (4:56) G.Frerotte pass to J.Morton for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Was Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings a close game?

Yes — the margin was 7 points. Minnesota Vikings won 24-17 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Detroit Lions

Entered 8-7 Now 8-8 L

Minnesota Vikings

Entered 9-6 Now 10-6 W