Game story
In Week 4 of the 1999 NFL season on 1999-10-03, the Minnesota Vikings took care of business against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, pulling away with a 21–14 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
T. Dilfer (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) paced the passing game, with +6.50 total EPA.
On the individual side, R. Cunningham (Minnesota Vikings) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +13.02 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+41.7% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Tampa Bay Buccaneers changed the game: M.Berger kicks 70 yards from MIN 30 to TB 0. J.Green to TB 16 for 16 yards (K.Mays).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 R. Cunningham · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +13.02 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
- 2 R. Anthony · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +7.46 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.83 EPA/play
- 3 R. Moss · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +6.71 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.96 EPA/play
- 4 T. Dilfer · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Passing · +6.50 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.15 EPA/play
- 5 D. Moore · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +5.17 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.03 EPA/play
- 6 J. Green · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +3.84 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
- 7 A. Glover · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.04 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.52 EPA/play
- 8 M. Williams · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.96 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.96 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
R. Cunningham — MIN · Passing
R. Cunningham posted the highest total EPA (+13.02) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Minnesota Vikings's efficiency. Across 36 counted snaps, they averaged +0.36 EPA per play.
The signature play (-4.77 EPA) came from Tampa Bay Buccaneers: (15:00) T.Dilfer sacked at MIN 47 for -6 yards (J.Randle). FUMBLES (J.Randle), RECOVERED by MIN-J.Randle at MIN 44.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Minnesota Vikings — unlisted player
- Minnesota Vikings — unlisted player
- Minnesota Vikings — unlisted player
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — unlisted player
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — unlisted player
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 21–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the TB 61 (Q1 57:57) — (12:57) R.Cunningham pass to R.Moss for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q1 55:47) — G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Morris, Holder-M.Berger.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the TB 27 (Q1 54:31) — (9:31) R.Cunningham pass to R.Moss for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q1 51:50) — G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Morris, Holder-M.Berger.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the TB 12 (Q1 47:21) — (2:21) R.Cunningham pass to A.Glover for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by TB and Upheld. (Timeout #1 at 00:22.); Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q1 45:22) — G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Morris, Holder-M.Berger..
The second quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 7–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the MIN 26 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) T.Dilfer pass to D.Moore for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q2 39:22) — M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Moore, Holder-M.Royals. PENALTY on MIN, Defensive 12 On-field, 5 yards, enforced between downs..
The fourth quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 7–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the MIN 26 (Q4 10:08) — (10:08) T.Dilfer pass to R.Anthony for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q4 7:34) — M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Moore, Holder-M.Royals. PENALTY on MIN-J.Ball, Encroachment, 5 yards, enforced between downs..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 60:00) — M.Berger kicks 70 yards from MIN 30 to TB 0. J.Green to TB 16 for 16 yards (K.Mays).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) T.Dilfer pass intended for W.Dunn INTERCEPTED by C.Miller at MIN 10. C.Miller to MIN 10 for no gain (W.Dunn).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 0:03) — (:03) (Shotgun) T.Dilfer pass incomplete to D.McDonald (R.Griffith).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 5:54) — (5:54) (Shotgun) W.Dunn up the middle to MIN 21 for no gain (T.Williams).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q1 57:57) — (12:57) R.Cunningham pass to R.Moss for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) T.Dilfer sacked at MIN 47 for -6 yards (J.Randle). FUMBLES (J.Randle), RECOVERED by MIN-J.Randle at MIN 44.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q1 57:57) — (12:57) R.Cunningham pass to R.Moss for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q1 54:31) — (9:31) R.Cunningham pass to R.Moss for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q2 30:32) — (:32) R.Cunningham pass intended for C.Carter INTERCEPTED by D.Abraham at TB 0. Touchback. Deflected by TB-47 J.Lynch
Quarterback report card
T.Dilfer led all passers in efficiency for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- T.Dilfer (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 44 dropbacks · 56.8% completion · +0.15 EPA/play · +6.50 total EPA
- R.Cunningham (Minnesota Vikings) · 36 dropbacks · 72.2% completion · +0.36 EPA/play · +13.02 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Minnesota Vikings |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.006 | +0.059 |
| Offensive success rate | 45.3% | 42.3% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.167 | +0.301 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.337 | -0.076 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.059 | +0.006 |
| Defensive success rate | 57.7% | 54.7% |
By the numbers
Minnesota Vikings held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.06 vs -0.01), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Minnesota Vikings: 10 drives, +4.63 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 11 drives, -0.53 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Minnesota Vikings 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.
- R. Cunningham (Minnesota Vikings) 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.
- Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 57:57 · TB 61 · Score 0-6
(12:57) R.Cunningham pass to R.Moss for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 55:47 · TB 2 · Score 0-7
G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Morris, Holder-M.Berger. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 54:31 · TB 27 · Score 0-13
(9:31) R.Cunningham pass to R.Moss for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 51:50 · TB 2 · Score 0-14
G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Morris, Holder-M.Berger. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 47:21 · TB 12 · Score 0-20
(2:21) R.Cunningham pass to A.Glover for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by TB and Upheld. (Timeout #1 at 00:22.) - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 45:22 · TB 2 · Score 0-21
G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Morris, Holder-M.Berger. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · MIN 26 · Score 6-21
(15:00) T.Dilfer pass to D.Moore for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q2 39:22 · MIN 2 · Score 7-21
M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Moore, Holder-M.Royals. PENALTY on MIN, Defensive 12 On-field, 5 yards, enforced between downs. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 10:08 · MIN 26 · Score 13-21
(10:08) T.Dilfer pass to R.Anthony for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q4 7:34 · MIN 2 · Score 14-21
M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Moore, Holder-M.Royals. PENALTY on MIN-J.Ball, Encroachment, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Minnesota Vikings?
The Minnesota Vikings beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21-14 in Week 4, 1999 on 1999-10-03.
What was the final score of Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Minnesota Vikings?
The final score was Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14, Minnesota Vikings 21 (TB 14-21 MIN) in Week 4, 1999 on 1999-10-03.
What was the score by quarter in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Minnesota Vikings?
Q1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0, Minnesota Vikings 21; Q2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7, Minnesota Vikings 0; Q4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7, Minnesota Vikings 0; Final: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14, Minnesota Vikings 21.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Minnesota Vikings?
Minnesota Vikings touchdown — unlisted player (Q1 57:57) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — unlisted player (Q1 54:31) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — unlisted player (Q1 47:21) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — unlisted player (Q2 45:00) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — unlisted player (Q4 10:08) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Minnesota Vikings?
T. Dilfer (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 56.8% completion, +0.15 EPA per dropback, +6.50 total passing EPA. R. Cunningham (Minnesota Vikings), 72.2% completion, +0.36 EPA per dropback, +13.02 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Minnesota Vikings?
R. Cunningham (Minnesota Vikings) led the game in total EPA with +13.02 on passing plays. across 36 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-4.77 EPA): (15:00) T.Dilfer sacked at MIN 47 for -6 yards (J.Randle). FUMBLES (J.Randle), RECOVERED by MIN-J.Randle at MIN 44.. The biggest win-probability swing was +41.7%.
Was Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Minnesota Vikings a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Minnesota Vikings won 21-14 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Entered 2-1 Now 2-2 L
Minnesota Vikings
Entered 1-2 Now 2-2 W
Fantasy · fantasyhq.co
