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 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?

Down goes Hurts

There's injury. And then there's adding insult to injury.

The Eagles lost Jalen Hurts to a concussion on the team's second drive of the game yesterday vs. the Commanders and he did not return to the game.

Still, it seemed like the Eagles would hold on despite handing to hand the keys to the kingdom over to Kenny Pickett.

They turned over the Commanders five times. Saquon Barkley rushed for 150 yards and 2 TDs. Surely they won the game, right?

Nope. 

Jayden Daniels, who is quickly proving himself as one of the most clutch QBs in the league, threw another game-winning TD with less than 10 seconds remaining on the clock.

Along with the W, he finished the day with a massive fantasy line, including 5 passing TDs and 81 yards on the ground.

I personally can't wait to see these Commanders in the playoffs, although Eagles fans might feel differently about that.

Justin Jefferson is still king

Let's call a spade a spade. Jefferson has been fine this year. He's been a consistent producer and has stayed healthy. That's more than we can say for most players.

But he hasn't had the Earth-scorching campaign that we all hoped for when we selected him in Round 1.

That all changed in Week 14 when he dropped 28.7 points against the Falcons.

And then yesterday he once again rewarded those who have been patient (and lucky enough to drag him to the semis) with a 31.4 fantasy point explosion vs. the Seahawks.

His second TD, which gave the Vikings the lead, was both a sick pitch and catch

He's now the fastest player to reach 7,000+ receiving yards and 40+ TDs.

I apologize for saying that you were just "fine" earlier, JJ. Us fantasy players are a fickle bunch.

Brian Thomas Jr. stays hot

We called BTJ the definitive rookie playoff league-winner last week and he made good on that proclamation in Week 16 with another big game.

The Jags wideout racked up 9 catches for 132 yards and a TD. His last four games have been outrageous:

  • 4-76-1 (10 targets)
  • 8-86-0 (12 targets)
  • 10-105-2 (14 targets)
  • 9-132-1 (13 targets)

Sunday's performance put him over 1,000 yards on the season. Check out this list of rookie WRs to hit 1k yards + 8 TDs.

Ya, this kid is going places.

The Cardinals no good very bad day

The Arizona Cardinals are officially eliminated from the playoffs after an inexcusable loss to the Panthers on Sunday.

And you're likely eliminated as well if you were relying on Trey McBride in the semis.

Remember all of that talk about finally getting him a TD? Well, he finished the game–which included a nearly full extra quarter of overtime play, mind you–with three catches for 20 yards and … you guessed it …zero TDs.

James Conner, the only bright spot on the offense (15-117-1; 4-49), left the game late with a knee injury.

Kyler Murray barely crested 200 yards receiving.

Michael Wilson had more receiving yards than Marvin Harrison.

I feel like I'm entitled to some compensation for the trauma I endured rooting for these guys in fantasy this year.

I guess the flop lag will have to wait until next year.

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