New England Patriots vs. New York Jets: 1999 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 1999 NFL season on 1999-09-12, the New England Patriots took care of business against the New York Jets, pulling away with a 30–28 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 23 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Bledsoe (New England Patriots) paced the passing game, with +6.82 total EPA.

On the individual side, K. Johnson (New York Jets) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.14 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+41.1% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when New England Patriots changed the game: J.Hall kicks 71 yards from NYJ 30 to NE -1. K.Faulk to NE 39 for 40 yards (C.Cascadden, B.Parmalee). PENALTY on NE-V.Crawford, Illegal Block Above the Waist, 8 yards, enforced at NE 16.

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 K. Johnson · New York Jets · Receiving · +11.14 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.74 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Glenn · New England Patriots · Receiving · +8.46 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.21 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Bledsoe · New England Patriots · Passing · +6.82 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
4. 4 T. Simmons · New England Patriots · Receiving · +4.97 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.49 EPA/play
5. 5 S. Jefferson · New England Patriots · Receiving · +4.80 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.80 EPA/play
6. 6 V. Testaverde · New York Jets · Passing · +4.70 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
7. 7 R. Anderson · New York Jets · Receiving · +3.05 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.05 EPA/play
8. 8 F. Baxter · New York Jets · Receiving · +3.04 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.04 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

• New York Jets — unlisted player (Q1 53:55)
• New England Patriots — unlisted player (Q2 40:46)
• New York Jets — unlisted player (Q2 39:11)
• New England Patriots — unlisted player (Q3 30:00)
• New England Patriots — unlisted player (Q3 26:40)
• New York Jets — unlisted player (Q3 20:55)
• New York Jets — unlisted player (Q4 10:47)

Field goals

• New England Patriots — unlisted player (Q1 60:00)
• New England Patriots — unlisted player (Q3 24:31)
• New England Patriots — unlisted player (Q4 0:07)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: New York Jets won the period 7–3. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the NYJ 15 (Q1 60:00) — (15:00) A.Vinatieri 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Holder-L.Johnson.; New York Jets found the end zone from the NE 27 (Q1 53:55) — (8:55) V.Testaverde pass to R.Anderson for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Jets added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q1 47:10) — J.Hall extra point is GOOD, Center-J.Hudson, Holder-T.Tupa..

The second quarter: New York Jets won the period 9–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the NYJ 58 (Q2 40:46) — (10:46) D.Bledsoe pass to T.Simmons for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the NYJ 2 (Q2 39:11) — A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Holder-L.Johnson.; New York Jets found the end zone from the NE 25 (Q2 39:11) — (9:11) T.Tupa pass to K.Johnson for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Jets added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q2 36:49) — J.Hall extra point is GOOD, Center-J.Hudson, Holder-T.Tupa.; New York Jets registered a safety from the NYJ 93 (Q2 30:08) — (:08) (Punt formation) L.Johnson Aborted. M.Bartrum FUMBLES at NE 0, ball out of bounds in End Zone, SAFETY..

The third quarter: New England Patriots won the period 17–6. New England Patriots found the end zone from the NE 74 (Q3 30:00); New England Patriots added 1 points from the NYJ 2 (Q3 28:27) — A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Holder-L.Johnson.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the NYJ 22 (Q3 26:40) — (11:40) T.Allen left tackle for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the NYJ 2 (Q3 26:29) — A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Holder-L.Johnson.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the NYJ 3 (Q3 24:31) — (9:31) A.Vinatieri 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Holder-L.Johnson.; New York Jets found the end zone from the NE 7 (Q3 20:55) — (5:55) T.Tupa pass to F.Baxter for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

The fourth quarter: New York Jets won the period 6–3. New York Jets found the end zone from the NYJ 80 (Q4 10:47) — (10:47) D.Bledsoe pass intended for T.Brown INTERCEPTED by B.Cox at NE 27. B.Cox for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the NYJ 5 (Q4 0:07) — (:07) A.Vinatieri 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Holder-L.Johnson..

Turning points

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

• New England Patriots (Q1 60:00) — J.Hall kicks 71 yards from NYJ 30 to NE -1. K.Faulk to NE 39 for 40 yards (C.Cascadden, B.Parmalee). PENALTY on NE-V.Crawford, Illegal Block Above the Waist, 8 yards, enforced at NE 16. [WPA +41.1% · EPA -0.76]
• New England Patriots (Q4 10:47) — (10:47) D.Bledsoe pass intended for T.Brown INTERCEPTED by B.Cox at NE 27. B.Cox for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -35.2% · EPA -7.50]
• New York Jets (Q4 6:47) — (6:47) R.Mirer pass intended for K.Johnson INTERCEPTED by C.Slade (T.Law) at NYJ 49. C.Slade to NYJ 49 for no gain (K.Johnson). [WPA -26.6% · EPA -3.17]
• New York Jets (Q3 30:00) — (15:00) T.Tupa sacked at NYJ 17 for -9 yards (S.Israel). FUMBLES (S.Israel), touched at NYJ 11, RECOVERED by NE-W.McGinest at NYJ 0. TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -21.0% · EPA -8.12]
• New York Jets (Q4 0:03) — (:03) R.Mirer pass incomplete (T.Bruschi). [WPA -21.0% · EPA -0.05]

Impact plays

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

• New York Jets (Q3 30:00) — (15:00) T.Tupa sacked at NYJ 17 for -9 yards (S.Israel). FUMBLES (S.Israel), touched at NYJ 11, RECOVERED by NE-W.McGinest at NYJ 0. TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -21.0% · EPA -8.12]
• New England Patriots (Q4 10:47) — (10:47) D.Bledsoe pass intended for T.Brown INTERCEPTED by B.Cox at NE 27. B.Cox for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -35.2% · EPA -7.50]
• New England Patriots (Q2 40:46) — (10:46) D.Bledsoe pass to T.Simmons for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.9% · EPA +6.31]
• New York Jets (Q3 20:55) — (5:55) T.Tupa pass to K.Johnson to NE 5 for 65 yards (L.Milloy). [WPA +11.8% · EPA +5.14]

Quarterback report card

D.Bledsoe led all passers in efficiency for New England Patriots, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• D.Bledsoe (New England Patriots) · 32 dropbacks · 65.6% completion · +0.21 EPA/play · +6.82 total EPA
• V.Testaverde (New York Jets) · 15 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +0.31 EPA/play · +4.70 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, New England Patriots generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.02 vs -0.03), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• New England Patriots: 13 drives, +1.59 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New York Jets: 14 drives, -2.85 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• New England Patriots 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.
• K. Johnson (New York Jets) 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. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q1 60:00 · NYJ 15 · Score 3-0
   (15:00) A.Vinatieri 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Holder-L.Johnson.
2. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q1 53:55 · NE 27 · Score 3-6
   (8:55) V.Testaverde pass to R.Anderson for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. New York Jets XP (+1) — Q1 47:10 · NE 2 · Score 3-7
   J.Hall extra point is GOOD, Center-J.Hudson, Holder-T.Tupa.
4. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 40:46 · NYJ 58 · Score 9-7
   (10:46) D.Bledsoe pass to T.Simmons for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 39:11 · NYJ 2 · Score 10-7
   A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Holder-L.Johnson.
6. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q2 39:11 · NE 25 · Score 10-13
   (9:11) T.Tupa pass to K.Johnson for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. New York Jets XP (+1) — Q2 36:49 · NE 2 · Score 10-14
   J.Hall extra point is GOOD, Center-J.Hudson, Holder-T.Tupa.
8. New York Jets Safety (+2) — Q2 30:08 · NYJ 93 · Score 10-16
   (:08) (Punt formation) L.Johnson Aborted. M.Bartrum FUMBLES at NE 0, ball out of bounds in End Zone, SAFETY.
9. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 30:00 · NE 74 · Score 16-16
   (15:00) T.Tupa sacked at NYJ 17 for -9 yards (S.Israel). FUMBLES (S.Israel), touched at NYJ 11, RECOVERED by NE-W.McGinest at NYJ 0. TOUCHDOWN.
10. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q3 28:27 · NYJ 2 · Score 17-16
    A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Holder-L.Johnson.
11. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 26:40 · NYJ 22 · Score 23-16
    (11:40) T.Allen left tackle for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q3 26:29 · NYJ 2 · Score 24-16
    A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Holder-L.Johnson.
13. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q3 24:31 · NYJ 3 · Score 27-16
    (9:31) A.Vinatieri 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Holder-L.Johnson.
14. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q3 20:55 · NE 7 · Score 27-22
    (5:55) T.Tupa pass to F.Baxter for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q4 10:47 · NYJ 80 · Score 27-28
    (10:47) D.Bledsoe pass intended for T.Brown INTERCEPTED by B.Cox at NE 27. B.Cox for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 0:07 · NYJ 5 · Score 30-28
    (:07) A.Vinatieri 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Holder-L.Johnson.