Fantasy Football Predictions: 10 Players Who Will Carry You to Glory

Fantasy football's Week 12 kicks off early, and these players will carry you to glory. 

The NFL is doing a great job of filling our sporting needs beginning with three games on Thanksgiving, as fantasy addicts need to set their lineups early. 

Have no fear, some help is here to make that final push for the playoffs and run away from the competition.

The NFL has provided fans with plenty of football for the holiday weekend, and the fortunate ones should have enough turkey and stuffing to remain in a residual food coma through Sunday evening. 

Get ready for a weekend of belt-busting, hard-hitting NFL action. 

Here are the players who'll carry you to glory in Week 12. 

Honorable Mention: The New Orleans Saints' Receiving Corps

The New Orleans Saints are fresh off their bye week as they welcome the up-and-down New York Giants to town. 

Saints quarterback Drew Brees averages 300-plus yards/game, and the Giants are coming off a Week 11 loss where they allowed Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Vince Young to throw for 258 yards. 

The Saints will be primed to play on Monday Night Football, and Drew Brees will find his usual handful of receivers for a handful of catches.

It's always tough to tell who Brees will target the most, but if you're in a pickle, try to pluck a Saints receiver off the waiver wire. 

No. 10: Antonio Brown

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown is a multi-dimensional threat with the football in his hands. 

Brown has emerged as the Steelers' No. 2 receiver and will get plenty of touches with so much consideration going Mike Wallace's way.

With the Steelers playing the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12, Brown shouldn't have a problem putting up winning numbers.

Remember, he also returns kicks, which increases fantasy owners' odds of winning with either Brown himself or with the Steelers defense. 

He's had at least five catches in four consecutive games, which makes him a must-start.

Find a way to get Brown in your lineup. 

No. 9: DeAngelo Williams

Despite Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams being a big disappointment this season, fantasy owners should start him without second-guessing themselves in Week 12. 

Why?

Because the Panthers play the Indianapolis Colts, that's why.

Williams may only get around 10 carries/game, but he averages 5.1 yards/carry on the season. With the Colts allowing opponents 145.6 yards/game on the ground, Williams should be a success. 

Expect Williams to pay some dividends this week—start him.

No. 8: Michael Crabtree

Michael Crabtree leads the San Francisco 49ers in receptions this year with 38. 

While that may not look like much, Crabtree can catch them in bunches.

Against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 11, he caught seven passes for 120 yards.

Even though Crabtree and the 49ers are playing the Baltimore Ravens in Week 12, this shouldn't faze fantasy owners.

Crabtree averages 12 yards/catch on the season, and he's become a comfortable target for quarterback Alex Smith.

Now in his third NFL season, it's time for him to break out. The 49ers need him to up his game for the upcoming playoffs.

Expect Crabtree to start becoming the wide receiver he was in college. 

No. 7: Jerome Simpson

The Cincinnati Bengals got a nice boost from receiver Jerome Simpson last week in light of A.J. Green's absence.

Simpson caught eight passes for 152 yards against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11.

Even with Green's return in Week 12 against the Cleveland Browns, Simpson is worth another whirl.

Green will have to contend with the Browns' Joe Haden, and don't think that Andy Dalton has forgotten what Simpson did for him last week. 

The Browns may lead the league in pass defense, but their schedule has been weak.

Expect the Bengals to get back into the win column with a major contribution from Simpson. 

No. 6: Laurent Robinson

Wide receiver Laurent Robinson has been a pleasant surprise for the Dallas Cowboys this season. 

With Miles Austin often injured, Robinson has a knack for the end zone.

In fact, he's found pay-dirt in four consecutive games.

With the Miami Dolphins coming to town for a Thanksgiving Day tilt, Robinson has a great chance to find himself in the end zone once again.

The Cowboys have legitimate threats in Dez Bryant, DeMarco Murray and Jason Witten, which allows Robinson to roam free. 

If he's available, swipe him while you can for a Week 12 win. 

No. 5: Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith played like a man possessed for the Detroit Lions in a Week 11 win.

He was the much-needed fix in the woeful Lions running game, as he finished with 201 total yards and three touchdowns.

This week brings the mighty Green Bay Packers to Detroit as the Lions look to dismantle the 10-0 Packers.

If this is to happen, Smith will need a repeat performance from Week 11. The Packers aren't the best on defense, but they'll be honing in on Smith.

The Lions will have to get creative in ways to get the ball into his hands. 

With the rediscovered threat of Smith, the Packers will have to pay slightly less attention to all-world receiver Calvin Johnson.

Balance on offense is imperative for the Lions, and this may be the correct formula in defeating the Packers. 

Play Smith, but be realistic in your expectations. 

No. 4: Percy Harvin

The 2-8 Minnesota Vikings may be struggling this season, but that doesn't mean you should sit Percy Harvin. 

Behind Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin is the team's most dangerous weapon.

Harvin can do it all, and the Vikings look to get the ball into his hands early and often.

He's become rookie quarterback Christian Ponder's safety valve, and if the Vikings stand a chance to win, Harvin will get the ball 10-plus times.

The Vikings play the Atlanta Falcons in Week 12, who won't be able to keep up with Harvin's abundance of energy. 

This is a no-brainer—start Percy Harvin. 

No. 3: Torrey Smith

It's official—Torrey Smith is an up-and-coming star in the NFL.

The Baltimore Ravens' rookie wide receiver has five touchdowns and is averaging 20.3 yards/catch this season.  

Given, Smith has been inconsistent in his week-to-week production, but the Ravens would be foolish not to give Smith ample targets from this point forward.

With six regular season games remaining, there's no reason not to believe that Smith won't receive more looks. 

Week 12 brings the San Francisco 49ers to Baltimore in what looks like a defensive battle on paper. Although these teams are known for defense, the 49ers are ranked 23rd in the NFL in pass defense.

With Anquan Boldin needing constant attention from the opposition, this will allow Smith to get loose. 

Fantasy owners should start Smith the rest of the season. 

No. 2: Ben Tate

With Matt Leinert now starting for the Houston Texans, fans should expect plenty of run plays from the team.

Good thing for the Texans, they have the most dominant duo in the NFL when it comes to running the ball.

Ben Tate may be the backup to Arian Foster, but he averages 5.6 yards/carry and with 686 yards on the season, will most likely eclipse the 1,000-yard mark. 

Fantasy owners should be licking their chops at the fact that the Texans play the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 12.

The Jaguars offense is pitiful, which means that the Texans will dominate time of possession. 

Expect Tate to get plenty of touches and put up big numbers in Week 12. 

No. 1: Jordy Nelson

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson hasn't slowed down since last year's Super Bowl win. 

Nelson has nine touchdowns on the season, five of which have come in the last three weeks.

The Packers are 10-0, and Nelson averages 18.9 yards/catch.

With quarterback Aaron Rodgers having an MVP season, Nelson has become a sure thing in Green Bay.

With opposing defenses having to keep a watchful eye on Greg Jennings and Jermichael Finley, Nelson seems to be sometimes forgotten, allowing Rodgers to deliver the ball with ease. 

With the Packers facing the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, expect Nelson to have a holiday feast.