Game story
In Week 8 of the 1999 NFL season on 1999-10-31, the Detroit Lions took care of business against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, pulling away with a 20–3 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
E. Zeier (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) paced the passing game, with -7.95 total EPA.
On the individual side, J. Green (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +4.01 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+55.2% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Detroit Lions changed the game: M.Gramatica kicks 63 yards from TB 30 to DET 7. T.Fair to DET 30 for 23 yards (S.Smith).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Detroit Lions | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 J. Green · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +4.01 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
- 2 W. Dunn · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +3.59 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
- 3 G. Hill · Detroit Lions · Rushing · +2.03 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
- 4 J. Morton · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +1.86 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
- 5 D. Sloan · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +1.50 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
- 6 M. Alstott · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +1.08 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.08 EPA/play
- 7 S. Irvin · Detroit Lions · Rushing · +0.99 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play
- 8 C. Batch · Detroit Lions · Rushing · +0.89 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
J. Green — TB · Receiving
J. Green posted the highest total EPA (+4.01) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Tampa Bay Buccaneers's efficiency. Across 12 counted snaps, they averaged +0.33 EPA per play.
The signature play (-7.76 EPA) came from Tampa Bay Buccaneers: (14:54) E.Zeier sacked at TB 30 for 0 yards (C.Claiborne). FUMBLES (C.Claiborne), RECOVERED by DET-A.Aldridge at TB 21. A.Aldridge for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
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
- Detroit Lions — unlisted player
Field goals
- Detroit Lions — unlisted player
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 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 second quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 10–3. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the TB 29 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) J.Hanson 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Compton, Holder-J.Jett.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the DET 31 (Q2 42:52) — (12:52) M.Gramatica 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Unutoa, Holder-M.Royals.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the TB 2 (Q2 34:57) — (4:57) S.Irvin right end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q2 33:52) — J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Compton, Holder-J.Jett..
The third quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 7–0. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DET 70 (Q3 29:54); Detroit Lions added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q3 29:01) — J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Compton, Holder-J.Jett..
The fourth quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 3–0. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the TB 32 (Q4 14:53) — (14:53) J.Hanson 50 yard field goal 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) — M.Gramatica kicks 63 yards from TB 30 to DET 7. T.Fair to DET 30 for 23 yards (S.Smith).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 29:54) — (14:54) E.Zeier sacked at TB 30 for 0 yards (C.Claiborne). FUMBLES (C.Claiborne), RECOVERED by DET-A.Aldridge at TB 21. A.Aldridge for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 48:59) — (3:59) M.Gramatica 36 yard field goal is BLOCKED (R.Rice), Center-M.Unutoa, Holder-M.Royals.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 42:52) — (12:52) E.Zeier pass to J.Green to DET 41 for 38 yards (C.Brown).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) M.Alstott left end to DET 1 for 5 yards (M.Carrier). FUMBLES (M.Carrier), RECOVERED by DET-C.Claiborne at DET 1.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 29:54) — (14:54) E.Zeier sacked at TB 30 for 0 yards (C.Claiborne). FUMBLES (C.Claiborne), RECOVERED by DET-A.Aldridge at TB 21. A.Aldridge for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) M.Alstott left end to DET 1 for 5 yards (M.Carrier). FUMBLES (M.Carrier), RECOVERED by DET-C.Claiborne at DET 1.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 48:59) — (3:59) M.Gramatica 36 yard field goal is BLOCKED (R.Rice), Center-M.Unutoa, Holder-M.Royals.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 42:52) — (12:52) E.Zeier pass to J.Green to DET 41 for 38 yards (C.Brown).
Quarterback report card
E.Zeier led all passers in efficiency for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- E.Zeier (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 50 dropbacks · 58.0% completion · -0.16 EPA/play · -7.95 total EPA
- C.Batch (Detroit Lions) · 24 dropbacks · 41.7% completion · -0.28 EPA/play · -6.84 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Detroit Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.166 | +0.020 |
| Offensive success rate | 37.6% | 40.3% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.156 | -0.191 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.241 | +0.150 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.020 | +0.166 |
| Defensive success rate | 59.7% | 62.4% |
By the numbers
Detroit Lions held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.02 vs -0.17), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Detroit Lions: 11 drives, +1.36 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 11 drives, -15.40 total EPA, 1 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Detroit Lions leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- J. Green (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) 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) — Q2 45:00 · TB 29 · Score 0-3
(15:00) J.Hanson 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Compton, Holder-J.Jett. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q2 42:52 · DET 31 · Score 3-3
(12:52) M.Gramatica 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Unutoa, Holder-M.Royals. - Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 34:57 · TB 2 · Score 3-9
(4:57) S.Irvin right end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 33:52 · TB 2 · Score 3-10
J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Compton, Holder-J.Jett. - Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 29:54 · DET 70 · Score 3-16
(14:54) E.Zeier sacked at TB 30 for 0 yards (C.Claiborne). FUMBLES (C.Claiborne), RECOVERED by DET-A.Aldridge at TB 21. A.Aldridge for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 29:01 · TB 2 · Score 3-17
J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Compton, Holder-J.Jett. - Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q4 14:53 · TB 32 · Score 3-20
(14:53) J.Hanson 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Compton, Holder-J.Jett.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions?
The Detroit Lions beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-3 in Week 8, 1999 on 1999-10-31.
What was the final score of Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions?
The final score was Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3, Detroit Lions 20 (TB 3-20 DET) in Week 8, 1999 on 1999-10-31.
What was the score by quarter in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions?
Q2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3, Detroit Lions 10; Q3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0, Detroit Lions 7; Q4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0, Detroit Lions 3; Final: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3, Detroit Lions 20.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions?
Detroit Lions touchdown — unlisted player (Q2 34:57) Detroit Lions touchdown — unlisted player (Q3 29:54) Detroit Lions field goal — unlisted player (Q2 45:00, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — unlisted player (Q2 42:52, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — unlisted player (Q4 14:53, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions?
E. Zeier (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 58.0% completion, -0.16 EPA per dropback, -7.95 total passing EPA. C. Batch (Detroit Lions), 41.7% completion, -0.28 EPA per dropback, -6.84 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions?
J. Green (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) led the game in total EPA with +4.01 on receiving plays. across 12 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-7.76 EPA): (14:54) E.Zeier sacked at TB 30 for 0 yards (C.Claiborne). FUMBLES (C.Claiborne), RECOVERED by DET-A.Aldridge at TB 21. A.Aldridge for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +55.2%.
Season records after this game
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Entered 3-3 Now 3-4 L
Detroit Lions
Entered 4-2 Now 5-2 W
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