Patriots-Lions fantasy projections: Calvin Johnson, Rob Gronkowski, Jonas Gray are all names to watch

The Week 12 matchup between the Detroit Lions and the New England Patriots could feature both teams scoring some points in a closely contested matchup. We've got the fantasy projections for you courtesy of numberFire.

Wide receiver Calvin Johnson was largely held in check last week by the secondary unit of the Arizona Cardinals. With five catches and 59 yards in that game, Johnson ended up with his worst numbers of the season if you don't count the weeks he was only used as a decoy because of his ankle injury. That said, those facts aren't meant as a slight to him, as Johnson routinely roasts the best cornerbacks on other teams on a regular basis. It goes without saying there's no reason not to start moving forward, even if he is facing off against Brandon Browner this week.

For what it's worth, Johnson's teammate Golden Tate also had a rough afternoon against the Cardinals. He caught just two passes for 41 yards, but part of the reason for his low totals was the fact that he only received two targets from quarterback Matthew Stafford. The underwhelming numbers halted a streak of three straight games in which Tate had managed to climb over the 100-yard receiving mark. He should be in for an equally tough afternoon facing off against Darrelle Revis, me but that doesn't mean he is incapable of going off for a big day once again.

One would venture to assume that any time the New England Patriots win a football game by a wide margin it would have a lot to do with quarterback Tom Brady. That has been a common theme especially throughout this season, but the fantasy community got quite a surprise when running back Jonas Gray went off on the Indianapolis Colts last week to the tune of 200-plus rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. There is no doubt the performance makes Gray a hot pick up on the waiver wire this week, but it remains to be seen what the Patriots' coaching staff might have up its sleeve as the team's running game is always making adjustments. Not just in terms of strategy but also in terms of who is actually getting the ball.

Nonetheless it's no secret the Patriots are Brady's team and although the Lions do boast one of the league's best defenses, it really doesn't matter who you throw Brady out there against. Ever since the team's debacle in Kansas City earlier this season, the Golden Boy looks poised to lead the Patriots to the Super Bowl, even though most football pundits probably had the Denver Broncos coming out of the AFC at the start of the season. Brady's fantasy owners will be glad to see the touchdowns through the air again this Sunday rather than having a running back go off.