Fantasy

The RBs Get The Last Laugh in The Fantasy Football Semifinals

by Peter Overzet

8 hours ago

In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter, presented by Bud Light.

After 14 weeks of the early-round RBs stuffing the WRs in their proverbial lockers, the WRs struck back in Week 15.

The explosion shook up the landscape of the fantasy playoffs and flipped the semifinals on their head.

But yesterday the RBs said "not so fast, my friend(s)."

Headlined by Jonathan Taylor's monster day (more on his redemption arc in the Pick 6 recap column below), the entire position seemingly smashed yesterday.

Check out a few of these notable scores:

Taylor—39.8 fp
Chuba Hubbard—30.5 fp
De'Von Achane—28 fp
James Cook—26.1 fp
Saquon Barkley—27 fp
James Conner—24.6
Jahmyr Gibbs—23.4
Bijan Robinson—23.3
Jerome Ford—21.6
Kyren Williams—19.4

In some cases, these performances were too little too late in the fantasy playoffs. But for others, they are just what the doctored ordered.

Regardless, Week 16 provided an emphatic reminder that 2024 is still the Year Of The RB.

UTILIZATION REPORT GAME LOGS

What else is in today’s newsletter?

Pete’s Pick 6: JT’s Rorschach test
Watercooler: Joe Burrow’s Kermit shadow
Fantasy Life Trivia: What teams have had 5 turnovers and still won?

Week 16 Fantasy Football Takeaways

by Peter Overzet

It's time for Pete's Pick 6—a weekly recap column where I spotlight the best and the worst (I'm looking at you, Cardinals) performances from Sunday's games.

Let's dig in …

🎭️ Jonathan Taylor's redemption tour?

I have a feeling this monster outing from Taylor in Week 16 (29-218-3) is going to be a Rorschach test for his fantasy managers.

I'm sure there were some JT managers who squeaked by to the semis despite his epic botched TD in Week 15 and got to enjoy the spoils of his electrifying Week 16 performance.

On the other side of the coin, though, I'm sure there are many more JT managers who got bounced on the heels of his dumb mistake and were absolutely seething as they watched him go full scorched earth a week after costing them a win.

I once heard Yahoo's Scott Pianowski say something along the lines of "No fantasy team dances quite like the one that was just bounced from the playoffs," and boy does it feel like Taylor is the poster boy for that mantra in 2024.

TLDR: I'm happy for you, JT managers. Or sorry that happened.

🪀 A trick play for the ages

It's fitting that they are the Lions because most Detroit games feel a lot like a cat toying with the mouse.

This felt especially true on Sunday when OC Ben Johnson dialed up a diabolical trick play that called for Jared Goff and Jahmyr Gibbs to pretend like they both tripped and muffed a handoff before throwing a TD dart to Sam LaPorta.

You’ve got to love a play that is essentially the "Call an ambulance … but not for me!" video in football form.

After the game, Craig Reynolds said the ruse went beyond the field with the entire sideline contributing to the jig. Now that's committing to the bit.

My only criticism? Why aren't we saving this for the playoffs?

4 MORE WEEK 16 HIGHLIGHTS

🍻 Get Stocked Up for Game Day Now

The Official Beer Sponsor of the NFL

With the NFL season heating up, every game day and every win means even more. So from now until Super Bowl LIX, make your game days an easy win with the Official Beer Sponsor of the NFL. Order now and get Bud Light delivered to your door—just in time for kickoff.

AROUND THE WATERCOOLER

The latest analysis and insights from our merry band of football nerds:

🔮 The Giants take sole possession of the No. 1 pick. Who should they take?

🤝 Week 16 isn’t over yet. DFS projections for Monday Night Football.

😡 Garrett Wilson wants the rock. He’s up against a major bromance.

🙏 Michael Penix Jr. had a rough first game. But I love his attitude.

🐸 Look at this pass from Joe Burrow. And then the shadow. Do you see it?

🧀 LaMarca breaks down the Packers-Saints for Monday Night Football, hold the cheese.

We’re back with another edition of Fantasy Life Trivia! To submit your answer, simply click your selection and you will be redirected to the submission page.

*The correct answer will be revealed here in tomorrow’s Fantasy Life Trivia segment.