NFL Week 13 Predictions: Looking Ahead to Top Fantasy Football Performers

Now that the fantasy football playoffs are rapidly approaching, there's nothing more satisfying for GMs to see than one of their most solid performers are about to have a choice matchup, meaning a high-scoring day is that much more likely.

In the following slides, I will detail four fantasy studs who should produce big time for you this week should you have one (or more) of them on your team.

RB LeGarrette Blount, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Carolina Panthers)

Headed into Week 12, the Carolina Panthers had the dubious honor of being the last-ranked defense in the NFL, also ranking 32nd against the run.

Though the Panthers allowed just over 100 yards on the ground by the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12, the Colts surely aren't as strong a running team as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with LeGarrette Blount in the starting role.

That means that Blount is set to have a big day on the ground (and in the air) for your fantasy team in Week 13. On the year, Blount has rushed 138 times for 644 yards and four touchdowns and has caught 11 passes for 128 yards. Against the Tennessee Titans in Week 12, he had 103 yards on 20 rushes and three catches for 56 yards.

Look for Blount to match or exceed this production against the Panthers this Sunday. If there's one thing that's certain, it's that starting any offensive player facing the Panthers defense almost guarantees a big day.

QB Tom Brady, New England Patriots (vs. Indianapolis Colts)

However, if you don't have anyone facing the Carolina Panthers this week, perhaps you have someone from the New England Patriots offense, as the team hosts the Indianapolis Colts and their struggling defense on Sunday.

Just as with the Panthers, if you have a player on offense facing the Colts, then they're a must-start that week. And when in concert with an already-proven fantasy stud such as Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, that means a high scoring day is likely for your team.

Brady completed 24 of his 34 pass attempts for 361 yards and three touchdowns in his team's Week 12 throttling of the Philadelphia Eagles. On the year, Brady has 3,627 yards, 28 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions.

Week after week, quarterbacks have been having their way with the Colts defense, and it won't be any different in Week 13. The only difference this time is that it's one as talented as Brady; he should look unstoppable Sunday.

WR Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants (vs. Green Bay Packers)

There seems to be a solid formula for teams trying to hand the Green Bay Packers their first defeat of the season, and that's to engage them in a shootout and hope to force Aaron Rodgers to make a mistake.

While that may not be the New York Giants' game plan in Week 13 (I think their defense will behave much as it did when the team beat the New England Patriots earlier in the season), they'll certainly take to the air quite a bit, benefiting quarterback Eli Manning and his cadre of receivers.

But none more so than Hakeem Nicks, who is Manning's biggest and best target despite the emergence of Victor Cruz this season.

Nicks dealt with some hamstring issues that saw him miss the team's Week 9 game at the Patriots, but he's fully healthy now and should prove to be a major weapon in the Giants' offensive plan of attack against the Packers.

Nicks has 43 catches for 685 yards and four touchdowns this season; against Green Bay, a 100-yard performance is not out of the question, nor is the possibility of him scoring one or perhaps two touchdowns.

TE Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers (at Jacksonville Jaguars)

San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates has had a lot going against him this season, first missing four games while continuing to heal from an ongoing problem with his foot and now seeing his production vary wildly, as quarterback Philip Rivers has been struggling.

Despite all that, Gates is still one of the most elite at his position, catching 40 passes for 465 yards and four touchdowns in seven games. He's Rivers' biggest red-zone target, and while most defenses are able to key in on that and keep his numbers lower than they otherwise would be, it's not going to be so easy for the Jacksonville Jaguars to do so on Sunday.

While the Jaguars have been surprisingly strong on defense this year, a number of injuries suffered in Week 12 will cut down their success rate considerably. Even when healthy, the Jaguars defense hasn't performed well against tight ends this season, giving up 75 yards to the Colts' Jacob Tamme, 132 yards to the Saints' Jimmy Graham, 101 to the Jets' Dustin Keller and 57 to the Panthers' Greg Olsen.

This means that Gates is primed to lead the Chargers in total receiving yards in Week 13 plus score a touchdown or two. Don't worry about Rivers' inconsistencies; it ultimately won't harm Gates on Sunday.