NFL Week 16 fantasy: Surprises, disappointments & waiver adds

Akers has been productive since his midseason hiatus, but Sunday's win against Denver took him to new heights. He had one of the best games of his career, with 23 carries for 118 yards and three scores, adding two catches for 29 yards.

Carolina's game plan to run the ball against Detroit worked perfectly, and Foreman was one of the beneficiaries. He rewarded fantasy managers who started him with 21 carries for 165 yards and one touchdown.

Hockenson is a plug-and-play tight end and had one of his best career games at an important moment. He finished with 13 catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns in a huge win against the Giants.

Smith enjoyed having Gardner Minshew under center in Week 16. He finished with eight catches for 113 yards and two scores, making some spectacular plays in the process.

You're probably lying if you brag about starting Zylstra in Week 16, but his performance was very notable for fantasy. He finished with five catches for 26 yards and three improbable touchdowns.

A cold and windy day in Chicago wasn't conducive to the passing game, and Diggs suffered as a result. He had only two catches for 26 yards in a playoff-week dud performance.

Despite bad weather conditions, there was hope Fields would be able to salvage his fantasy day with his legs. That didn't happen. He finished 15-of-23 with 119 yards and one touchdown passing and had only seven carries for 11 yards rushing.

With third-string quarterback Trace McSorley under center, it was clear the Cardinals passing game would suffer. Hopkins was especially quiet finish with only one catch for four yards despite 10 targets.

Jacobs has put fantasy managers on his back for much of the season, but he didn't pay off in the playoffs. He had only 44 yards rushing on 15 carries and one catch for six yards.

After a tremendous performance against New England in Week 15, Stevenson had a dud against the Bengals. He had only 13 carries for 30 yards and two catches for three yards, also losing a key fumble near the end of the game.

With the Raiders now out of the playoff picture, head coach Josh McDaniels has said the team could look to rest banged-up players and those with contract situations. Josh Jacobs is part of the latter group as a pending free agent so that Bolden could be a smart stash for fantasy championships, along with fellow backups Zamir White and Ameer Abdullah.

Tua Tagovailoa entered concussion protocol on Monday, leaving open the strong possibility that Bridgewater will start to close out the regular season. Miami faces a tough Patriots defense in Week 17, but Bridgewater could still be a viable start if you're in a pinch at quarterback with his bevy of great weapons.

Tennessee is in trouble with their playoff hopes hanging in the balance, and now Derrick Henry's status for Thursday's game is up in the air due to a hip injury. With Dontrell Hilliard also out with a neck injury, Haskins could be a worthy stash against Dallas.

Lazard is having a forgettable season, but he led the Packers in Targets on Christmas with Christan Watson suffering an injury. He could be playable in Week 17 if Watson cannot go for Green Bay.

Here we go again. Wentz came on in relief of the struggling Taylor Heinicke in Week 16 and could regain the starting quarterback job as Washington's playoff hopes hang by a thread. With Jahan Dotson's recent breakout, the Commanders present a profitable opportunity for Wentz against a leaky Browns defense next week.