Week 12 Fantasy Football Rankings: Projecting the Top Fantasy Performances

Whether it's because of matchups, the player, the location or the team's situation in terms of injuries or the need of a win, the top fantasy performances occur from a variety of tangible and intangible factors.

And if you're fortunate enough to have a player or two who rolls at a consistently high level each week, then you're most likely in the playoff hunt.

That being said, here are the five players who will put on the best fantasy numbers in Week 12.

Rob Gronkowski: TE, Patriots (at Eagles)

The Eagles defensive strength may be in defending the pass. However, they don't have anyone who can cover Pats TE Rob Gronkowski.

For one, Philly's LBs are smaller and slower, while their DBs are simply just too small.

Gronk is also a lot more agile than given credit for because of his size, not to mention he's arguably Tom Brady's most reliable target.

And with Wes Welker most likely being blanketed to limit Brady's options, he'll be looking to Gronk quite often, since he'll have the advantage in a mismatch.

Now, Philly does have a solid pass-rush. However, the Pats' do give Brady good protection.

Therefore, we may even see a few delayed routes from Gronk to give Brady more time in addition to releasing from the backfield.

Projection: Seven receptions, 100 yards, two TDs

Matt Ryan: QB, Falcons (vs. Vikings)

This week, the Minnesota Vikings are in for another dicing as Falcons QB Matt Ryan will roll through their weak pass defense in the Georgia Dome.

Minnesota may have Jared Allen forcing pressure all game long, but expect RB Michael Turner to be helping out the offensive line in double-teaming Allen to give Ryan extra time.

With a nice receiving core of Tony Gonzalez, Roddy White, Julio Jones (status uncertain) and Harry Douglas, Matt Ryan will shred the Vikings' No. 28 ranked pass defense.

Also helping Ryan will be Atlanta's balanced attack with a solid ground game.

In turn, that will open up the passing lanes even more, and the Dirty Birds take flight in a Week 12 beatdown.

Don't be surprised if Ryan tries to go deep early on as well, because much like Green Bay, getting up early on the Vikings is crucial, especially since they have a weak pass offense.

Projection: 24-of-41, 300 yards, three TDs, no INTs

Cam Newton: QB, Panthers (at Colts)

Despite being 2-8, the Carolina Panthers have a Top 10 offense in passing and rushing.

It is also without a doubt that much of that can be attributed to Cam Newton.

Luckily for those with Newton in fantasy, Carolina plays the winless Colts in Week 12, and Indy has arguably the NFL's worst defense. So whether by land or air, expect Newton to dominate.

Cam will come out firing also, because if there's anything that will help the Colts out, it's slowing the game down.

Therefore, Newton will send the rock deep more than a few times in the first half, and if nothing's there, he'll take off and keep the chains moving with his feet.

The Colts honestly don't have an answer for him unless Carolina slows the game down themselves. Indy has the ability to run the ball well at times, and the Panthers' defensive weakness is against the run.

However, as long as Newton moves the Cats' offense at a fast pace, his fantasy numbers will roll, as will his team.

Projection: 27-of-45, 325 passing yards, three TDs, 50 rushing yards, one TD

Calvin Johnson: WR, Lions (vs. Packers)

The Green Bay Packers may be undefeated. However, their pass defense still ranks No. 31, and they haven't faced a WR like Calvin Johnson all season.

Megatron is the game's best WR, and QB Matt Stafford should just sit back and launch at least five or six to him on Thanksgiving Day.

He gives Detroit the best chance to beat Green Bay, because you know that the Packers are going to roll over the Lions defense.

However, The Motor City can keep pace as long as Calvin is getting targets. Even if he's double-teamed, he will still soar over any Packers defender, just as long as Stafford as enough time to throw.

So regardless of the outcome, Megatron will tear apart the Green Bay pass defense en route to another multi-TD game.

Projection: Nine catches, 150 yards, two TDs

Drew Brees: QB, Saints (vs. Giants)

This week, Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints take their No. 1 ranked passing game into the Superdome against the visiting Giants, who rank just No. 18 against the pass.

The Saints average just under 320 and New York allows just under 240 pass yards per game.

And although The Big Blue Wrecking Crew has a solid pass-rush, much of that can be attributed to Jason Pierre-Paul.

So expect coach Sean Payton to account for Pierre-Paul by leaving at least one RB in to block whenever Brees drops back, and even maybe a delayed route by TE Jimmy Graham to keep New York's defense off-balance.

Brees is also underrated when it comes to buying time in and out of the pocket, so don't expect him to be under much pressure (if any) on Sunday.

The Giants haven't played a QB like this all season, because Brees dishes the rock around quite well. In turn, that also adds more wood to the fire in a matchup that will keep Brees on pace to breaking Dan Marino's single-season passing yards record.

Projection: 33-of-47, 340 yards, four TDs

Follow John Rozum on Twitter @ Sportswriter27