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{{short description|80th season in the history of the National Football League}}
{{Short description|1999 National Football League season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}}
{{Infobox NFL
{{Infobox NFL
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| pb_date = February 6, 2000
| pb_date = February 6, 2000
}}
}}
{{NFL Team Maps 1999}}


[[File:ScannedImage-11.jpg|thumb|300px|Photo of the [[1999 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay]] vs. [[1999 Denver Broncos season|Denver]] preseason game at [[Camp Randall Stadium]] on August 23, 1999]]
[[File:ScannedImage-11.jpg|thumb|300px|Photo of the [[1999 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay]] vs. [[1999 Denver Broncos season|Denver]] preseason game at [[Camp Randall Stadium]] on August 23, 1999]]


The '''1999 NFL season''' was the 80th [[regular season (NFL)|regular season]] of the [[National Football League]]. The [[Cleveland Browns]] returned to the field for the first time since the [[1995 NFL season|1995 season]], while the Tennessee Oilers changed their name to "[[Tennessee Titans]]," with the league retiring the name “Oilers.”
The '''1999 NFL season''' was the 80th [[regular season (NFL)|regular season]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL). The [[Cleveland Browns]] returned to the field for the first time since the [[1995 NFL season|1995 season]], while the Tennessee Oilers changed their name to "[[Tennessee Titans]]", with the league retiring the name "Oilers".


The return of the Browns increased the number of teams to 31, the first time the league had played with an odd number of teams since 1966. This required the NFL to give at least one team a [[bye (sports)|bye]] each week; previously, barring extreme circumstances, a club never received a bye during the first two weeks or last seven weeks of the season.
The return of the Browns increased the number of teams to 31, the first time the league had played with an odd number of teams since 1966. As per the league's agreement with the [[Cleveland|City of Cleveland]], the Browns were placed in the [[AFC Central]], increasing that division to six teams. This also required the NFL to give at least one team a [[bye (sports)|bye]] each week; previously, barring extreme circumstances, a club never received a bye during the first two weeks or last seven weeks of the season. Under the new system, for ten weeks of the season (Week #1, Week #2 and Week #10 to Week #17), one team received a bye, and for seven weeks of the season (Week #3 to Week #9), three teams received a bye. This format would continue until the [[Houston Texans]] joined the NFL in [[2002 NFL season|2002]], returning the league to an even number of teams.


⚫
The start of the 1999 NFL season was pushed back one week and started the weekend after [[Labor Day]], a change from the previous seasons: due to the [[Year 2000 problem|Y2K]] concerns, the NFL did not want to hold the opening round of the playoffs on Saturday, January 1, 2000, and did not want teams traveling on that day. This was also done to avoid competing against college football's New Years Day bowl games.
Under a new system, for ten weeks of the season (Week #1, Week #2 and Week #10 to Week #17), one team received a bye, and for seven weeks of the season (Week #3 to Week #9), three teams received a bye. This format would continue until the [[Houston Texans]] joined the NFL in [[2002 NFL season|2002]], returning the league to an even number of teams.

⚫
The start of the 1999 NFL Season was pushed back one week and started the weekend after [[Labor Day]], a change from the previous seasons: due to the [[Year 2000 problem|Y2K]] concerns, the NFL did not want to hold the opening round of the playoffs on Saturday January 1, 2000, and did not want teams traveling on that day. This was also done to avoid competing against college football's New Years Day bowl games.


Week 17 games were held on January 2, 2000, and the opening round of the playoffs would be scheduled for January 8 and 9, with the bye week before the [[Super Bowl]] removed to accommodate the one-week adjustment. The start of the season after Labor Day would become a regular fixture for future seasons, beginning in [[2001 NFL season|2001]].
Week 17 games were held on January 2, 2000, and the opening round of the playoffs would be scheduled for January 8 and 9, with the bye week before the [[Super Bowl]] removed to accommodate the one-week adjustment. The start of the season after Labor Day would become a regular fixture for future seasons, beginning in [[2001 NFL season|2001]].


The final spot in the NFC playoffs came down to an exciting final day of the season. [[1999 Green Bay Packers season|The Green Bay Packers]] and [[1999 Carolina Panthers season|Carolina Panthers]] were both at 7–8, tied for the last spot in the playoffs with [[1999 Dallas Cowboys season|the Dallas Cowboys]] and tied in other tiebreakers. The Packers/Panthers tie would be broken by best net point differential in conference games. With both the Packers and Panthers playing at 1:00 PM Eastern on January 2, the two teams tried to outscore the other. The Packers beat [[1999 Arizona Cardinals season|the Arizona Cardinals]] 49–24, and the Panthers beat [[1999 New Orleans Saints season|the New Orleans Saints]] 45–13, with the result that the Packers finished ahead of the Panthers by 11 points. Nevertheless, Dallas defeated [[1999 New York Giants season|the New York Giants]] later that night to claim the final playoff spot.
The final spot in the NFC playoffs came down to the final day of the regular season. The [[1999 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]] and [[1999 Carolina Panthers season|Carolina Panthers]] were both at 7–8, tied for the last spot in the playoffs with the [[1999 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]] and tied in other tiebreakers. The Packers–Panthers tie would be broken by best net point differential in conference games. With both the Packers and Panthers playing at 1:00 p.m. Eastern on January 2, the two teams tried to outscore the other. The Packers beat the [[1999 Arizona Cardinals season|Arizona Cardinals]] 49–24, and the Panthers beat the [[1999 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]] 45–13, with the result that the Packers finished ahead of the Panthers by 11 points. Nevertheless, Dallas defeated the [[1999 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] later that night to claim the final playoff spot.


[[History of the St. Louis Rams|The St. Louis Rams]], who have had losing records for each of the past nine seasons dating back to their first tenure in Los Angeles (and had finished in last place in their division the previous season), surprised the entire league, as seven point favorites, by defeating the Tennessee Titans 23–16 in [[Super Bowl XXXIV]] at the [[Georgia Dome]].
The [[History of the St. Louis Rams|St. Louis Rams]], who had had losing records for each of the past nine seasons dating back to their first tenure in Los Angeles (and had finished in last place in their division the previous season), surprised the entire league by making a Super Bowl run, as seven point favorites, by defeating the Tennessee Titans 23–16 in [[Super Bowl XXXIV]] at the [[Georgia Dome]].


==Transactions==
==Transactions==
===Retirement===
===Retirements===
*On July 27, 1999, Barry Sanders announced he was retiring from pro football. His retirement was made public by faxing a letter to the ''[[Wichita Eagle]]'', his hometown newspaper.<ref>[ "The Cheap Seats: Finally, Sanders Speaks"] {{cite web |url=http://www.bleacherguy.com/2003/12/sanders_speaks.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=March 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016112951/http://www.bleacherguy.com/2003/12/sanders_speaks.html |archive-date=October 16, 2007 }}, December 3, 2003</ref>
*On May 2, 1999, [[John Elway]] announced his retirement from pro football. He played his entire career with the [[Denver Broncos]].
*On July 27, 1999, [[Barry Sanders]] announced he was retiring from pro football. His retirement was made public by faxing a letter to the ''[[Wichita Eagle]]'', his hometown newspaper.<ref>[ "The Cheap Seats: Finally, Sanders Speaks"] {{cite web |url=http://www.bleacherguy.com/2003/12/sanders_speaks.html |title = The Cheap Seats: Finally, Sanders Speaks |access-date=March 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016112951/http://www.bleacherguy.com/2003/12/sanders_speaks.html |archive-date=October 16, 2007 }}, December 3, 2003</ref>


===Draft===
===Draft===
The [[1999 NFL Draft]] was held from April 17 to 18, 1999 at [[New York City]]'s [[Theater at Madison Square Garden]]. With the first pick, the [[Cleveland Browns]] selected quarterback [[Tim Couch]] from the [[University of Kentucky]].
The [[1999 NFL draft]] was held from April 17 to 18, 1999 at [[New York City]]'s [[Theater at Madison Square Garden]]. With the first pick, the [[Cleveland Browns]] selected quarterback [[Tim Couch]] from the [[University of Kentucky]].
===Expansion Draft===
===Expansion draft===
Held on February 9, 1999, 150 players were left unprotected by their teams for the Browns to select in the [[1999 NFL expansion draft]].<ref name=nytimeslist>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/16/sports/nfl-roundup-expansion-draft-130-veteran-faces-for-the-browns.html|last=Pennington|first=Bill|title=N.F.L. Roundup—Expansion Draft; 130 Veteran Faces For the Browns|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=January 16, 1999|access-date=October 4, 2008}}</ref><ref>http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/index.nsf/Documents/1999-draft-exp</ref> With the first overall pick, the Browns selected Center Jim Pyne from the [[Detroit Lions]].
Held on February 9, 1999, 150 players were left unprotected by their teams for the Browns to select in the [[1999 NFL expansion draft]].<ref name=nytimeslist>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/16/sports/nfl-roundup-expansion-draft-130-veteran-faces-for-the-browns.html|last=Pennington|first=Bill|title=N.F.L. Roundup—Expansion Draft; 130 Veteran Faces For the Browns|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=January 16, 1999|access-date=October 4, 2008|archive-date=November 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108104807/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/16/sports/nfl-roundup-expansion-draft-130-veteran-faces-for-the-browns.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/index.nsf/Documents/1999-draft-exp |title=1999 Cleveland Expansion Draft |publisher=Jt-sw.com |date=2002-02-18 |accessdate=2022-02-11 |archive-date=September 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901021524/http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/index.nsf/Documents/1999-draft-exp |url-status=live }}</ref> With the first overall pick, the Browns selected Center Jim Pyne from the [[Detroit Lions]].


==Referee changes==
==Referee changes==
[[Jerry Markbreit]] retired prior to the 1999 season. He joined the NFL in 1976 as a line judge before being promoted to the referee in just his second year. To date, he is the only NFL referee to officiate four [[Super Bowl]] games: [[Super Bowl XVII]], [[Super Bowl XXI]], [[Super Bowl XXVI]], and [[Super Bowl XXIX]]. [[Jeff Triplette]] was promoted to referee to replace Markbreit.
[[Jerry Markbreit]] retired prior to the 1999 season. He joined the NFL in 1976 as a line judge before being promoted to referee in just his second year. He is the only NFL referee to officiate four [[Super Bowl]] games: [[Super Bowl XVII]], [[Super Bowl XXI]], [[Super Bowl XXVI]], and [[Super Bowl XXIX]]. [[Jeff Triplette]] was promoted from back judge to referee to replace Markbreit.


==Major rule changes==
==Major rule changes==
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***Too many men on the field
***Too many men on the field


The league also added the following then-minor rule change that became significant in the [[NFL playoffs, 2001-02|playoffs]] a few years later:
The league also added the following then-minor rule change that became significant in the [[NFL playoffs, 2001–02|playoffs]] a few years later:
:''When a Team A player is holding the ball to pass it forward, any intentional forward movement of his hand starts a forward pass, even if the player loses possession of the ball as he is attempting to tuck it back toward his body. Also, if the player has tucked the ball into his body and then loses possession, it is a fumble.''<ref>Official Rules of the NFL, Rule 3, Section 21, Article 2, Note 2</ref>
:''When a Team A player is holding the ball to pass it forward, any intentional forward movement of his hand starts a forward pass, even if the player loses possession of the ball as he is attempting to tuck it back toward his body. Also, if the player has tucked the ball into his body and then loses possession, it is a fumble.''<ref>Official Rules of the NFL, Rule 3, Section 21, Article 2, Note 2</ref>


This new interpretation of a forward pass would later be commonly known as the “[[Tuck rule (football)|Tuck Rule]]”, and was repealed in 2013.
This new interpretation of a forward pass would later be commonly known as the "[[Tuck rule (football)|Tuck Rule]]", and was repealed in 2013.

==1999 deaths==
==1999 deaths==
===Pro Football Hall of Fame===
===Pro Football Hall of Fame===
* [[Walter Payton]]: Having retired as the NFL's All-Time Leading Rusher, Payton died on November 1, 1999 from a rare liver disease known as [[primary sclerosing cholangitis]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/02/sports/walter-payton-extraordinary-running-back-for-chicago-bears-dies-at-45.html|title=Walter Payton, Extraordinary Running Back for Chicago Bears, Dies at 45|newspaper=The New York Times|last1=Litsky|first1=Frank|date=November 2, 1999}}</ref>
* [[Walter Payton]]: Having retired as the NFL's all-time leading rusher, Payton died on November 1, 1999, from a rare liver disease known as [[primary sclerosing cholangitis]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/02/sports/walter-payton-extraordinary-running-back-for-chicago-bears-dies-at-45.html|title=Walter Payton, Extraordinary Running Back for Chicago Bears, Dies at 45|newspaper=The New York Times|last1=Litsky|first1=Frank|date=November 2, 1999|access-date=December 2, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117111510/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/02/sports/walter-payton-extraordinary-running-back-for-chicago-bears-dies-at-45.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Regular season==
==Regular season==
===Scheduling formula===
===Scheduling formula===
{| border=0 style="margin: 0 0 0 1.5;"
{| border=0 style="margin: 0 0 0 1.5;"
|-valign="top"
|- valign="top"
|
|
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;'''Inter-conference'''<br/>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;'''Inter-conference'''<br/>
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Highlights of the 1999 season included:
Highlights of the 1999 season included:
*'''[[NFL on Thanksgiving Day|Thanksgiving]]''': Two games were played on Thursday, November 25, featuring Chicago at [[1999 Detroit Lions season|Detroit]] and Miami at [[1999 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas]], with Detroit and Dallas winning.
*'''[[NFL on Thanksgiving Day|Thanksgiving]]''': Two games were played on Thursday, November 25, featuring Chicago at [[1999 Detroit Lions season|Detroit]] and Miami at [[1999 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas]], with Detroit and Dallas winning.



{{col-begin}}
{{col-begin}}
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===Tiebreakers===
===Tiebreakers===
*Miami was the third AFC Wild Card ahead of Kansas City based on better record against common opponents (6–1 to Chiefs’ 5–3).
*Miami was the third AFC Wild Card ahead of Kansas City based on a better record against common opponents (6–1 to Chiefs' 5–3).
*N.Y. Jets finished ahead of New England in the AFC East based on better division record (4–4 to Patriots’ 2–6).
*N.Y. Jets finished ahead of New England in the AFC East based on a better division record (4–4 to Patriots' 2–6).
*Seattle finished ahead of Kansas City in the AFC West based on head-to-head sweep (2–0).
*Seattle finished ahead of Kansas City in the AFC West based on a head-to-head sweep (2–0).
*San Diego finished ahead of Oakland in the AFC West based on better division record (5–3 to Raiders’ 3–5).
*San Diego finished ahead of Oakland in the AFC West based on a better division record (5–3 to Raiders' 3–5).
*Arguably, the NFC this year presents the most difficult implementation of the NFL's tiebreaker system. Four teams were tied at 8–8 for the last 2 wild card spots. When 3 or more teams are tied, and 2 or more are from the same division, the within-division tiebreakers are evaluated first. In the NFC Central, Detroit and Green Bay had matching records in the first two two-team divisional tiebreakers (1–1 in head-to-head games, and 4–4 in divisional games). But, in the third tiebreaker, games against common opponents, Detroit's record was 7–5 while Green Bay's was 6–6. Green Bay was thus ranked 4th of four, and eliminated from wild-card contention.
*Dallas was the second NFC Wild Card based on better record against common opponents (4–2 to Lions’ 3–3), head-to-head victory over Dallas, and better conference record than Carolina (7–5 to Panthers’ 6–6).
*With 3 teams from 3 divisions tied, the first three-or-more-teams tiebreaker did not apply since none had beaten the other two. The second tiebreaker is record within the conference, and here Dallas and Detroit had records of 7–5, while Carolina had a record of 6–6. Carolina was thus ranked 3rd of four, and eliminated from wild card contention.
*Detroit was the third NFC Wild Card based on better conference record than Green Bay (7–5 to Packers’ 6–6) and head-to-head victory over Carolina.
*With two teams remaining, the contest reverts to the first step of the two-team non-divisional tiebreaker. Since the teams did not play head-to-head, the second tiebreaker, best record against common opponents gave the second-ranked wild card to Dallas since they had a better record (4–2 to the Lions' 3–3). Detroit became the third-ranked wild card.
*Coverage on ESPN<ref>{{Citation |title=WE NEED MORE POINTS 1999 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ83nnODDjs |access-date=2024-01-01 |language=en}}</ref> intimated that both Green Bay and Carolina "ran up the score" in their early games to position themselves better concerning the fourth tiebreaker (points ± within the conference), in case the late game between Dallas and N.Y. Giants was won by the Giants or tied. Had the Giants beaten the Cowboys, there would have been a four-way tie at 8–8 between the N.Y. Giants, Detroit, Green Bay, and Carolina for two wild card spots. Detroit would have advanced with the second wild card based on a 7–5 conference record to Green Bay, N.Y. Giants, and Carolina all 6–6 in their conference. For the last spot between the 3 teams from different divisions, common opponents would be used next, but the three teams had no common opponents. Green Bay's lead in the points ± within conference tiebreaker would therefore have been decisive over the N.Y. Giants and Carolina in the specific case that those three teams tied for the last wild-card spot.


==Playoffs==
==Playoffs==
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===Team===
===Team===
{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"
{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"
|-
|'''Points scored'''||[[1999 St. Louis Rams season|St. Louis Rams]] (526)
|'''Points scored'''||[[1999 St. Louis Rams season|St. Louis Rams]] (526)
|-
|-
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===Individual===
===Individual===
{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"
{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"
|-
|'''Scoring'''||[[Mike Vanderjagt]], [[1999 Indianapolis Colts season|Indianapolis]] (145 points)
|'''Scoring'''||[[Mike Vanderjagt]], [[1999 Indianapolis Colts season|Indianapolis]] (145 points)
|-
|-
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==Awards==
==Awards==
{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"
{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"
|-
|'''[[National Football League Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player]]'''||[[Kurt Warner]], [[Quarterback]], [[1999 St. Louis Rams season|St. Louis]]
|'''[[National Football League Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player]]'''||[[Kurt Warner]], [[quarterback]], [[1999 St. Louis Rams season|St. Louis]]
|-
|-
|'''[[NFL Coach of the Year Award|Coach of the Year]]'''||[[Dick Vermeil]], St. Louis
|'''[[NFL Coach of the Year Award|Coach of the Year]]'''||[[Dick Vermeil]], St. Louis
|-
|-
|'''[[NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award|Offensive Player of the Year]]'''||[[Marshall Faulk]], [[Running back]], St. Louis
|'''[[NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award|Offensive Player of the Year]]'''||[[Marshall Faulk]], [[running back]], St. Louis
|-
|-
|'''[[NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award|Defensive Player of the Year]]'''||[[Warren Sapp]], [[Defensive Tackle]], [[1999 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay]]
|'''[[NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award|Defensive Player of the Year]]'''||[[Warren Sapp]], [[defensive tackle]], [[1999 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay]]
|-
|-
|'''[[NFL Rookie of the Year Award|Offensive Rookie of the Year]]'''||[[Edgerrin James]], Running Back, [[1999 Indianapolis Colts season|Indianapolis]]
|'''[[NFL Rookie of the Year Award|Offensive Rookie of the Year]]'''||[[Edgerrin James]], running back, [[1999 Indianapolis Colts season|Indianapolis]]
|-
|-
|'''[[NFL Rookie of the Year Award|Defensive Rookie of the Year]]'''||[[Jevon Kearse]], [[Defensive End]], [[1999 Tennessee Titans season|Tennessee]]
|'''[[NFL Rookie of the Year Award|Defensive Rookie of the Year]]'''||[[Jevon Kearse]], [[defensive end]], [[1999 Tennessee Titans season|Tennessee]]
|-
|-
|'''[[NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award|NFL Comeback Player of the Year]]'''||[[Bryant Young]], Defensive Tackle, [[1999 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco]]
|'''[[NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award|NFL Comeback Player of the Year]]'''||[[Bryant Young]], defensive tackle, [[1999 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco]]
|-
|-
|'''[[Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award|Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year]]'''||[[Cris Carter]], [[Wide Receiver]], [[1999 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota]]
|'''[[Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award|Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year]]'''||[[Cris Carter]], [[wide receiver]], [[1999 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota]]
|-
|-
|'''[[Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award|Super Bowl Most Valuable Player]]'''||Kurt Warner, Quarterback, St. Louis
|'''[[Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award|Super Bowl Most Valuable Player]]'''||Kurt Warner, quarterback, St. Louis
|}
|}


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==New uniforms==
==New uniforms==
* The [[Baltimore Ravens]] were forced to scrap their original helmet logo, a shield with raven wings displaying a letter "B", because of a trademark dispute. Their new helmet logo featured a purple raven's head with the letter "B" superimposed. The team introduced a new secondary shield logo with alternating Calvert and Crossland emblems similar to the [[flag of Maryland]].
* The [[Baltimore Ravens]] were forced to scrap their original helmet logo, a shield with raven wings displaying a letter "B", because of a trademark dispute. Their new helmet logo featured a purple raven's head with the letter "B" superimposed. The team introduced a new secondary shield logo with alternating Calvert and Crossland emblems similar to the [[flag of Maryland]].
* The reactivated [[Cleveland Browns]] restored the team's classic design, but widened the pants stripes.
* The reactivated [[Cleveland Browns]] restored the team's classic design, but widened the pants stripes and moved the TV numbers from the sleeves to the shoulders.
* The [[Detroit Lions]] returned to wearing silver instead of blue pants with their white jerseys
* The [[Detroit Lions]] returned to wearing silver instead of blue pants with their white jerseys. The TV numbers were moved from the sleeves to the shoulders.
* The [[Philadelphia Eagles]] added black stripping on the sleeve ends on the green jerseys.
* The [[Philadelphia Eagles]] added black stripping on the sleeve ends on the green jerseys.
* The renamed [[Tennessee Titans]] unveiled new uniforms featuring navy and white jerseys, white helmets, and red trim. White pants were worn with the navy jerseys and navy pants with the white jerseys. The new helmet logo featured a circle with a letter "T" with a trail of flames.
* The renamed [[Tennessee Titans]] unveiled new uniforms featuring navy and white jerseys, white helmets, and red trim. White pants were worn with the navy jerseys and navy pants with the white jerseys. The new helmet logo featured a circle with a letter "T" and three stars in a pattern matching those on the Tennessee state flag with a trail of flames.
* The [[New Orleans Saints]] switched from gold to black numbers on their white jerseys. They also began wearing black pants with their white jerseys.
* The [[New Orleans Saints]] switched from gold to black numbers on their white jerseys. They also began wearing black pants with a wide gold stripe with their white jerseys.

==Television==
This was the second year under the league's eight-year broadcast contracts with [[NFL on ABC|ABC]], [[NFL on CBS|CBS]], [[NFL on Fox|Fox]], and ESPN<!--Do not link directly to [[NFL on ESPN]], as it currently redirects to [[Monday Night Football]]--> to televise ''[[Monday Night Football]]'', the AFC package, the NFC package, and ''[[ESPN Sunday Night Football|Sunday Night Football]]'', respectively.

[[Dan Dierdorf]] left ABC to return to CBS, joining [[Verne Lundquist]] on the latter network's #2 crew. Dierdorf replaced [[Randy Cross]], who then became part of an overhauled talent lineup on ''[[The NFL Today]]'': [[Jim Nantz]] remained as host, but [[Marcus Allen]], [[Brent Jones]], and [[George Seifert]] were replaced by Cross, [[Craig James (running back)|Craig James]], and [[Jerry Glanville]]. ABC decided to leave [[Al Michaels]] and [[Boomer Esiason]] in a two-man booth. ABC also dropped [[Frank Gifford]]'s segments from its ''MNF'' pregame show, letting [[Chris Berman]] to host the entire 20 minutes.


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
*''NFL Record and Fact Book'' ({{ISBN|1-932994-36-X}})
*''NFL Record and Fact Book'' ({{ISBN|1-932994-36-X}})
*[http://www.nfl.com/history/chronology/1991-2000 NFL History 1991–2000] (Last accessed October 17, 2005)
*[http://www.nfl.com/history/chronology/1991-2000 NFL History 1991–2000] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060823021151/http://www.nfl.com/history/chronology/1991-2000 |date=August 23, 2006 }} (Last accessed October 17, 2005)
*''Total Football: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League'' ({{ISBN|0-06-270174-6}})
*''Total Football: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League'' ({{ISBN|0-06-270174-6}})
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051125043553/http://www.steelersfever.com/nfl_history_of_rules.html Steelers Fever – History of NFL Rules] (Last accessed October 17, 2005)
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051125043553/http://www.steelersfever.com/nfl_history_of_rules.html Steelers Fever – History of NFL Rules] (Last accessed October 17, 2005)

Latest revision as of 19:02, 22 September 2024

1999 NFL season
Regular season
DurationSeptember 12, 1999 – January 3, 2000
Playoffs
Start dateJanuary 8, 2000
AFC ChampionsTennessee Titans
NFC ChampionsSt. Louis Rams
Super Bowl XXXIV
DateJanuary 30, 2000
SiteGeorgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
ChampionsSt. Louis Rams
Pro Bowl
DateFebruary 6, 2000
SiteAloha Stadium
1999 NFL season is located in the United States
Colts
Colts
Patriots
Patriots
Bills
Bills
Dolphins
Dolphins
Jets
Jets
Bengals
Bengals
Ravens
Ravens
Titans
Titans
Steelers
Steelers
Jaguars
Jaguars
Browns
Browns
Broncos
Broncos
Chiefs
Chiefs
Raiders
Raiders
Chargers
Chargers
Seahawks
Seahawks
class=notpageimage|
AFC teams: West, Central, East
1999 NFL season is located in the United States
Cowboys
Cowboys
Giants
Giants
Eagles
Eagles
Cardinals
Cardinals
Redskins
Redskins
Bears
Bears
Lions
Lions
Packers
Packers
Vikings
Vikings
Buccaneers
Buccaneers
Falcons
Falcons
Rams
Rams
Saints
Saints
49ers
49ers
Panthers
Panthers
class=notpageimage|
NFC teams: West, Central, East
Photo of the Green Bay vs. Denver preseason game at Camp Randall Stadium on August 23, 1999

The 1999 NFL season was the 80th regular season of the National Football League (NFL). The Cleveland Browns returned to the field for the first time since the 1995 season, while the Tennessee Oilers changed their name to "Tennessee Titans", with the league retiring the name "Oilers".

The return of the Browns increased the number of teams to 31, the first time the league had played with an odd number of teams since 1966. As per the league's agreement with the City of Cleveland, the Browns were placed in the AFC Central, increasing that division to six teams. This also required the NFL to give at least one team a bye each week; previously, barring extreme circumstances, a club never received a bye during the first two weeks or last seven weeks of the season. Under the new system, for ten weeks of the season (Week #1, Week #2 and Week #10 to Week #17), one team received a bye, and for seven weeks of the season (Week #3 to Week #9), three teams received a bye. This format would continue until the Houston Texans joined the NFL in 2002, returning the league to an even number of teams.

The start of the 1999 NFL season was pushed back one week and started the weekend after Labor Day, a change from the previous seasons: due to the Y2K concerns, the NFL did not want to hold the opening round of the playoffs on Saturday, January 1, 2000, and did not want teams traveling on that day. This was also done to avoid competing against college football's New Years Day bowl games.

Week 17 games were held on January 2, 2000, and the opening round of the playoffs would be scheduled for January 8 and 9, with the bye week before the Super Bowl removed to accommodate the one-week adjustment. The start of the season after Labor Day would become a regular fixture for future seasons, beginning in 2001.

The final spot in the NFC playoffs came down to the final day of the regular season. The Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers were both at 7–8, tied for the last spot in the playoffs with the Dallas Cowboys and tied in other tiebreakers. The Packers–Panthers tie would be broken by best net point differential in conference games. With both the Packers and Panthers playing at 1:00 p.m. Eastern on January 2, the two teams tried to outscore the other. The Packers beat the Arizona Cardinals 49–24, and the Panthers beat the New Orleans Saints 45–13, with the result that the Packers finished ahead of the Panthers by 11 points. Nevertheless, Dallas defeated the New York Giants later that night to claim the final playoff spot.

The St. Louis Rams, who had had losing records for each of the past nine seasons dating back to their first tenure in Los Angeles (and had finished in last place in their division the previous season), surprised the entire league by making a Super Bowl run, as seven point favorites, by defeating the Tennessee Titans 23–16 in Super Bowl XXXIV at the Georgia Dome.

Transactions

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Retirements

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  • On May 2, 1999, John Elway announced his retirement from pro football. He played his entire career with the Denver Broncos.
  • On July 27, 1999, Barry Sanders announced he was retiring from pro football. His retirement was made public by faxing a letter to the Wichita Eagle, his hometown newspaper.[1]

Draft

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The 1999 NFL draft was held from April 17 to 18, 1999 at New York City's Theater at Madison Square Garden. With the first pick, the Cleveland Browns selected quarterback Tim Couch from the University of Kentucky.

Expansion draft

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Held on February 9, 1999, 150 players were left unprotected by their teams for the Browns to select in the 1999 NFL expansion draft.[2][3] With the first overall pick, the Browns selected Center Jim Pyne from the Detroit Lions.

Referee changes

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Jerry Markbreit retired prior to the 1999 season. He joined the NFL in 1976 as a line judge before being promoted to referee in just his second year. He is the only NFL referee to officiate four Super Bowl games: Super Bowl XVII, Super Bowl XXI, Super Bowl XXVI, and Super Bowl XXIX. Jeff Triplette was promoted from back judge to referee to replace Markbreit.

Major rule changes

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  • Clipping became illegal around the line of scrimmage just as it was on the rest of the field.
  • A new instant replay system (different from the one used from 1986 to 1991) is adopted to aid officiating. The system mirrors a method used by the defunct USFL in 1985:
    • In each game, each team has two challenge flags that can be thrown to start an official review of the play in question. Each challenge will require the use of a team's timeout. If the challenge is successful, the timeout is restored.
    • Inside of two minutes of each half, and during all overtime periods, all reviews will be initiated by a Replay Assistant. The Replay Assistant has an unlimited number of reviews, regardless of how many timeouts each team has left. And no timeout will be charged for any review by the Replay Assistant.
    • All replay reviews will be conducted by the referee on a field-level monitor. A decision will be reversed only when there is indisputable visual evidence to overturn the call. The referee has 90 seconds to review the play.
    • The officials will be notified of a replay request or challenge via a specialized electronic pager with a vibrating alert. Each head coach would also have a red flag to use as a backup to get the attention of the officials to challenge a play.
    • The replay system will only cover the following situations:
      • Scoring plays
      • Pass complete/incomplete/intercepted
      • Runner/receiver out of bounds
      • Recovery of a loose ball in or out of bounds
      • Touching of a forward pass, either by an ineligible receiver or a defensive player
      • Quarterback pass or fumble
      • Illegal forward pass
      • Forward or backward pass
      • Runner ruled not down by contact
      • Forward progress in regard to a first down
      • Touching of a kick
      • Too many men on the field

The league also added the following then-minor rule change that became significant in the playoffs a few years later:

When a Team A player is holding the ball to pass it forward, any intentional forward movement of his hand starts a forward pass, even if the player loses possession of the ball as he is attempting to tuck it back toward his body. Also, if the player has tucked the ball into his body and then loses possession, it is a fumble.[4]

This new interpretation of a forward pass would later be commonly known as the "Tuck Rule", and was repealed in 2013.

1999 deaths

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Pro Football Hall of Fame

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Regular season

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Scheduling formula

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    Inter-conference
AFC East vs NFC East
AFC Central vs NFC West
AFC West vs NFC Central

Highlights of the 1999 season included:

  • Thanksgiving: Two games were played on Thursday, November 25, featuring Chicago at Detroit and Miami at Dallas, with Detroit and Dallas winning.

Tiebreakers

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  • Miami was the third AFC Wild Card ahead of Kansas City based on a better record against common opponents (6–1 to Chiefs' 5–3).
  • N.Y. Jets finished ahead of New England in the AFC East based on a better division record (4–4 to Patriots' 2–6).
  • Seattle finished ahead of Kansas City in the AFC West based on a head-to-head sweep (2–0).
  • San Diego finished ahead of Oakland in the AFC West based on a better division record (5–3 to Raiders' 3–5).
  • Arguably, the NFC this year presents the most difficult implementation of the NFL's tiebreaker system. Four teams were tied at 8–8 for the last 2 wild card spots. When 3 or more teams are tied, and 2 or more are from the same division, the within-division tiebreakers are evaluated first. In the NFC Central, Detroit and Green Bay had matching records in the first two two-team divisional tiebreakers (1–1 in head-to-head games, and 4–4 in divisional games). But, in the third tiebreaker, games against common opponents, Detroit's record was 7–5 while Green Bay's was 6–6. Green Bay was thus ranked 4th of four, and eliminated from wild-card contention.
  • With 3 teams from 3 divisions tied, the first three-or-more-teams tiebreaker did not apply since none had beaten the other two. The second tiebreaker is record within the conference, and here Dallas and Detroit had records of 7–5, while Carolina had a record of 6–6. Carolina was thus ranked 3rd of four, and eliminated from wild card contention.
  • With two teams remaining, the contest reverts to the first step of the two-team non-divisional tiebreaker. Since the teams did not play head-to-head, the second tiebreaker, best record against common opponents gave the second-ranked wild card to Dallas since they had a better record (4–2 to the Lions' 3–3). Detroit became the third-ranked wild card.
  • Coverage on ESPN[6] intimated that both Green Bay and Carolina "ran up the score" in their early games to position themselves better concerning the fourth tiebreaker (points ± within the conference), in case the late game between Dallas and N.Y. Giants was won by the Giants or tied. Had the Giants beaten the Cowboys, there would have been a four-way tie at 8–8 between the N.Y. Giants, Detroit, Green Bay, and Carolina for two wild card spots. Detroit would have advanced with the second wild card based on a 7–5 conference record to Green Bay, N.Y. Giants, and Carolina all 6–6 in their conference. For the last spot between the 3 teams from different divisions, common opponents would be used next, but the three teams had no common opponents. Green Bay's lead in the points ± within conference tiebreaker would therefore have been decisive over the N.Y. Giants and Carolina in the specific case that those three teams tied for the last wild-card spot.

Playoffs

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Main article: 1999–2000 NFL playoffs
Jan 8 – FedExField Jan 15 – Raymond James Stadium
6 Detroit 13
3 Washington 13
3 Washington 27 Jan 23 – Trans World Dome
2 Tampa Bay 14
NFC
Jan 9 – Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 2 Tampa Bay 6
Jan 16 – Trans World Dome
1 St. Louis 11
5 Dallas 10 NFC Championship
4 Minnesota 37
4 Minnesota 27 Jan 30 – Georgia Dome
1 St. Louis 49
Wild Card playoffs
Divisional playoffs
Jan 8 – Adelphia Coliseum N1 St. Louis 23
Jan 16 – RCA Dome
A4 Tennessee 16
5 Buffalo 16 Super Bowl XXXIV
4 Tennessee 19
4 Tennessee 22 Jan 23 – Alltel Stadium
2 Indianapolis 16
AFC
Jan 9 – Kingdome 4 Tennessee 33
Jan 15 – Alltel Stadium
1 Jacksonville 14
6 Miami 20 AFC Championship
6 Miami 7
3 Seattle 17
1 Jacksonville 62
This box:

Statistical leaders

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Team

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Points scored St. Louis Rams (526)
Total yards gained St. Louis Rams (6,412)
Yards rushing San Francisco 49ers (2,095)
Yards passing St. Louis Rams (4,353)
Fewest points allowed Jacksonville Jaguars (217)
Fewest total yards allowed Buffalo Bills (4,045)
Fewest rushing yards allowed St. Louis Rams (1,189)
Fewest passing yards allowed Buffalo Bills (2,675)

Individual

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Scoring Mike Vanderjagt, Indianapolis (145 points)
Touchdowns Stephen Davis, Washington and Edgerrin James, Indianapolis (17 TDs)
Most field goals made Olindo Mare, Miami (39 FGs)
Rushing Edgerrin James, Indianapolis (1,553 yards)
Passing Kurt Warner, St. Louis (109.2 rating)
Passing touchdowns Kurt Warner, St. Louis (41 TDs)
Pass receiving Jimmy Smith, Jacksonville (116 catches)
Pass receiving yards Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis (1,663)
Punt returns Charlie Rogers, Seattle (14.5 average yards)
Kickoff returns Tony Horne, St. Louis (29.7 average yards)
Interceptions Rod Woodson, Baltimore; Sam Madison, Miami; James Hasty, Kansas City; Donnie Abraham, Tampa Bay; and Troy Vincent, Philadelphia (7)
Punting Tom Rouen, Denver (46.5 average yards)
Sacks Kevin Carter, St. Louis (17)

Awards

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Most Valuable Player Kurt Warner, quarterback, St. Louis
Coach of the Year Dick Vermeil, St. Louis
Offensive Player of the Year Marshall Faulk, running back, St. Louis
Defensive Player of the Year Warren Sapp, defensive tackle, Tampa Bay
Offensive Rookie of the Year Edgerrin James, running back, Indianapolis
Defensive Rookie of the Year Jevon Kearse, defensive end, Tennessee
NFL Comeback Player of the Year Bryant Young, defensive tackle, San Francisco
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Cris Carter, wide receiver, Minnesota
Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Kurt Warner, quarterback, St. Louis

Coaching changes

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Stadium changes

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New uniforms

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  • The Baltimore Ravens were forced to scrap their original helmet logo, a shield with raven wings displaying a letter "B", because of a trademark dispute. Their new helmet logo featured a purple raven's head with the letter "B" superimposed. The team introduced a new secondary shield logo with alternating Calvert and Crossland emblems similar to the flag of Maryland.
  • The reactivated Cleveland Browns restored the team's classic design, but widened the pants stripes and moved the TV numbers from the sleeves to the shoulders.
  • The Detroit Lions returned to wearing silver instead of blue pants with their white jerseys. The TV numbers were moved from the sleeves to the shoulders.
  • The Philadelphia Eagles added black stripping on the sleeve ends on the green jerseys.
  • The renamed Tennessee Titans unveiled new uniforms featuring navy and white jerseys, white helmets, and red trim. White pants were worn with the navy jerseys and navy pants with the white jerseys. The new helmet logo featured a circle with a letter "T" and three stars in a pattern matching those on the Tennessee state flag with a trail of flames.
  • The New Orleans Saints switched from gold to black numbers on their white jerseys. They also began wearing black pants with a wide gold stripe with their white jerseys.

Television

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This was the second year under the league's eight-year broadcast contracts with ABC, CBS, Fox, and ESPN to televise Monday Night Football, the AFC package, the NFC package, and Sunday Night Football, respectively.

Dan Dierdorf left ABC to return to CBS, joining Verne Lundquist on the latter network's #2 crew. Dierdorf replaced Randy Cross, who then became part of an overhauled talent lineup on The NFL Today: Jim Nantz remained as host, but Marcus Allen, Brent Jones, and George Seifert were replaced by Cross, Craig James, and Jerry Glanville. ABC decided to leave Al Michaels and Boomer Esiason in a two-man booth. ABC also dropped Frank Gifford's segments from its MNF pregame show, letting Chris Berman to host the entire 20 minutes.

References

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  1. ^ [ "The Cheap Seats: Finally, Sanders Speaks"] "The Cheap Seats: Finally, Sanders Speaks". Archived from the original on October 16, 2007. Retrieved March 23, 2008., December 3, 2003
  2. ^ Pennington, Bill (January 16, 1999). "N.F.L. Roundup—Expansion Draft; 130 Veteran Faces For the Browns". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 8, 2012. Retrieved October 4, 2008.
  3. ^ "1999 Cleveland Expansion Draft". Jt-sw.com. February 18, 2002. Archived from the original on September 1, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  4. ^ Official Rules of the NFL, Rule 3, Section 21, Article 2, Note 2
  5. ^ Litsky, Frank (November 2, 1999). "Walter Payton, Extraordinary Running Back for Chicago Bears, Dies at 45". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  6. ^ WE NEED MORE POINTS 1999, retrieved January 1, 2024
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