Game story
In Week 14 of the 1999 NFL season on 1999-12-12, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 23–16 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
G. Frerotte (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with -1.63 total EPA.
On the individual side, J. Morton (Detroit Lions) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +5.55 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+54.6% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Tampa Bay Buccaneers changed the game: J.Hanson kicks 68 yards from DET 30 to TB 2. R.Anthony to TB 25 for 23 yards (C.Schlesinger, B.Stablein).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lions | 10 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 16 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 7 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 23 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 J. Morton · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +5.55 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.55 EPA/play
- 2 S. King · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Passing · +4.86 total EPA · 42 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play
- 3 M. Alstott · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +4.51 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.13 EPA/play
- 4 R. Anthony · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.19 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.73 EPA/play
- 5 D. Sloan · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +1.63 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
- 6 D. Moore · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +1.57 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.57 EPA/play
- 7 K. McLeod · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +1.44 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.44 EPA/play
- 8 B. Stablein · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +1.33 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.33 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
J. Morton — DET · Receiving
J. Morton posted the highest total EPA (+5.55) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Detroit Lions's efficiency. Across 10 counted snaps, they averaged +0.55 EPA per play.
The signature play (+4.90 EPA) came from Tampa Bay Buccaneers: (1:58) (Shotgun) S.King pass incomplete (L.Elliss).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Detroit Lions — unlisted player
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — unlisted player
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — unlisted player
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — unlisted player
Field goals
- Detroit Lions — unlisted player
- Detroit Lions — unlisted player
- Detroit Lions — unlisted player
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 10–0. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the TB 19 (Q1 58:06) — (13:06) J.Hanson 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Compton, Holder-J.Jett.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the TB 10 (Q1 49:32) — (4:32) G.Hill left end for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q1 45:52) — J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Compton, Holder-J.Jett..
The second quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 7–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the DET 3 (Q2 31:40) — (1:40) S.King pass to K.McLeod for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 31:34) — M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Unutoa, Holder-M.Royals..
The third quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 3–2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers registered a safety from the TB 98 (Q3 28:13) — (13:13) G.Frerotte sacked in End Zone for -2 yards, SAFETY (B.Culpepper).; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the TB 7 (Q3 20:38) — (5:38) J.Hanson 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Compton, Holder-J.Jett..
The fourth quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 14–3. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the TB 9 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) J.Hanson 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Compton, Holder-J.Jett. Penalty on TB-D.Jackson, Defensive Offside, declined.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q4 9:32) — (9:32) M.Alstott up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 9:26) — M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Unutoa, Holder-M.Royals.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the DET 22 (Q4 5:07) — (5:07) S.King pass to M.Alstott for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 4:18) — M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Unutoa, Holder-M.Royals..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 60:00) — J.Hanson kicks 68 yards from DET 30 to TB 2. R.Anthony to TB 25 for 23 yards (C.Schlesinger, B.Stablein).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 9:32) — (9:32) M.Alstott up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 31:54) — (1:54) (Shotgun) S.King pass to W.Dunn to DET 7 for 68 yards (J.Brown). PENALTY on DET-J.Brown, Face Mask (15 Yards), 4 yards, enforced at DET 7.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 5:07) — (5:07) S.King pass to M.Alstott for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Detroit Lions (Q3 28:13) — (13:13) G.Frerotte sacked in End Zone for -2 yards, SAFETY (B.Culpepper).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 31:58) — (1:58) (Shotgun) S.King pass incomplete (L.Elliss).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 5:07) — (5:07) S.King pass to M.Alstott for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) S.King sacked at DET 40 for -8 yards (R.Porcher). FUMBLES (R.Porcher), touched at DET 40, RECOVERED by DET-L.Elliss at DET 44. L.Elliss to DET 44 for no gain (S.King).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 14:11) — (14:11) (Shotgun) S.King pass to R.Anthony to DET 42 for 30 yards (M.Carrier).
Quarterback report card
G.Frerotte led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- G.Frerotte (Detroit Lions) · 48 dropbacks · 47.9% completion · -0.03 EPA/play · -1.63 total EPA
- S.King (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 42 dropbacks · 54.8% completion · +0.12 EPA/play · +4.86 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Detroit Lions | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.044 | -0.004 |
| Offensive success rate | 33.7% | 37.6% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.050 | +0.072 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.065 | -0.345 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.004 | +0.044 |
| Defensive success rate | 62.4% | 66.3% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Detroit Lions -0.04, Tampa Bay Buccaneers -0.00) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Detroit Lions: 12 drives, -3.93 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 13 drives, -0.31 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 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.
- J. Morton (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.
- Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q1 58:06 · TB 19 · Score 3-0
(13:06) J.Hanson 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Compton, Holder-J.Jett. - Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 49:32 · TB 10 · Score 9-0
(4:32) G.Hill left end for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 45:52 · TB 2 · Score 10-0
J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Compton, Holder-J.Jett. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q2 31:40 · DET 3 · Score 10-6
(1:40) S.King pass to K.McLeod for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q2 31:34 · DET 2 · Score 10-7
M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Unutoa, Holder-M.Royals. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Safety (+2) — Q3 28:13 · TB 98 · Score 10-9
(13:13) G.Frerotte sacked in End Zone for -2 yards, SAFETY (B.Culpepper). - Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 20:38 · TB 7 · Score 13-9
(5:38) J.Hanson 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Compton, Holder-J.Jett. - Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q4 15:00 · TB 9 · Score 16-9
(15:00) J.Hanson 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Compton, Holder-J.Jett. Penalty on TB-D.Jackson, Defensive Offside, declined. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 9:32 · DET 1 · Score 16-15
(9:32) M.Alstott up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q4 9:26 · DET 2 · Score 16-16
M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Unutoa, Holder-M.Royals. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 5:07 · DET 22 · Score 16-22
(5:07) S.King pass to M.Alstott for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q4 4:18 · DET 2 · Score 16-23
M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Unutoa, Holder-M.Royals.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Detroit Lions vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Detroit Lions 23-16 in Week 14, 1999 on 1999-12-12.
What was the final score of Detroit Lions vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
The final score was Detroit Lions 16, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23 (DET 16-23 TB) in Week 14, 1999 on 1999-12-12.
What was the score by quarter in Detroit Lions vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Q1: Detroit Lions 10, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0; Q2: Detroit Lions 0, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7; Q3: Detroit Lions 3, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2; Q4: Detroit Lions 3, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14; Final: Detroit Lions 16, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Detroit Lions vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Detroit Lions touchdown — unlisted player (Q1 49:32) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — unlisted player (Q2 31:40) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — unlisted player (Q4 9:32) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — unlisted player (Q4 5:07) Detroit Lions field goal — unlisted player (Q1 58:06, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — unlisted player (Q3 20:38, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — unlisted player (Q4 15:00, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Detroit Lions vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
G. Frerotte (Detroit Lions), 47.9% completion, -0.03 EPA per dropback, -1.63 total passing EPA. S. King (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 54.8% completion, +0.12 EPA per dropback, +4.86 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Detroit Lions vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
J. Morton (Detroit Lions) led the game in total EPA with +5.55 on receiving plays. across 10 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+4.90 EPA): (1:58) (Shotgun) S.King pass incomplete (L.Elliss).. The biggest win-probability swing was +54.6%.
Was Detroit Lions vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Tampa Bay Buccaneers won 23-16 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Detroit Lions
Entered 8-4 Now 8-5 L
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Entered 8-4 Now 9-4 W
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