NFL Picks Week 12: Tim Tebow and 7 Players Who Will Lead Their Teams to Victory

Tim Tebow's recent heroics have awakened many to the role of leadership in the NFL.

As Week 12 rolls around, it's time for both established stars and unknowns to carry their teams to the promised land. 

Who will step up? Can Tebow do it again?

Here are seven players that will put the team on their back this week. 

Tim Tebow

For the record, I don't think of Tim Tebow as a capable NFL quarterback at this stage of his career, but he has done enough to beat three middling opponents in a row.

This week, Tebow and the Denver Broncos take on the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers have been exposed as frauds, losing five in a row. 

The game will be close, partly due to Tebow's poor play in the first three quarters. But Tebow will score late to give the Broncos the victory, and once again he will receive all the credit. 

Calvin Johnson

The undefeated Green Bay Packers, as good as they are, have flaws. A great offense and easy schedule has hidden the fact that their defense is mediocre.

Expect Calvin Johnson to have a huge game against the Green Bay secondary. The Detroit Lions will upset the Packers on Thanksgiving, ending Green Bay's hope of a perfect season. 

Tom Brady

Don't let last week's win over the Giants fool you; the Philadelphia Eagles are not a good team. They will come back to Earth in Week 12 against the New England Patriots.

Tom Brady has averaged 326.6 yards per contest in 2011.

He will improve his stats this week en route to eviscerating the Eagles' secondary.

Matt Leinart

Matt Schaub's injury has put the Houston Texans' 2011 season in jeopardy. In steps former Heisman winner Matt Leinart, who has struggled in his limited time as an NFL starting quarterback.

Leinart should have no trouble this week at Jacksonville, however. The Jaguars' offense is so anemic that the Texans only need a couple touchdowns for certain victory.

Leinart will do his part as the Texans waltz to the win. 

Cam Newton

Cam Newton threw four costly interceptions in the Carolina Panthers' 49-35 loss to the Lions. Luckily, he has an opportunity to get back on track against the hapless Indianapolis Colts. 

The Panthers are better then their 2-8 record suggest; the Colts are every bit as bad as an 0-10 record implies.

Newton will throw several touchdowns as Carolina cruises.

Caleb Hanie

Jay Cutler's broken thumb might not torpedo the Chicago Bears' season. After all, Cutler hasn't been the reason for the team's 7-3 record; the defense has.

The Oakland Raiders, Chicago's Week 12 opponent, have beaten two bad teams in a row, but that doesn't change the fact that Carson Palmer is washed up.

Caleb Hanie, who performed admirably in last year's NFC Championship game, will play well enough for the Bears to win. 

Drew Brees

Monday night's Giants-Saints matchup has huge NFC playoff implications. The New York Giants are fighting to stay tied atop the NFC East, while the New Orleans Saints want to tighten their hold on the NFC South. 

Drew Brees is on pace to shatter Dan Marino's record for single-season passing yards. Brees will further his march toward history as the Saints knock off the G-men.