Teams on a bye: Vikings, Titans, Seahawks, Giants

Between his Heisman trophy, his crazy socks, and all his Subway commercials, I can see why so many people are hypnotized into believing Robert Griffin III is the best rookie in the NFL. Guess what. He’s not. He’s not even close. Andrew Luck is.

Make no mistake, I love both of them, but Luck has clearly been the best rookie in the league. Actually, he’s been one of the best players in the league.

Rick Reilly wrote a tremendous piece on the same subject earlier last month, supporting Andrew Luck. With each stat, he further proved that Luck has been far superior. If you want a stat that will provide you with the best estimate as to who has been better, look at the quarterback’s Total QBR. QBR takes into account everything a quarterback does and when he does it. It considers field position, how much time remains in the game, how involved the quarterback was in the play, and much more. This recently-developed stat is measured on a scale of 0 to 100, with 50 being considered average. Going into Week 11, Peyton Manning sits atop the leader board with a QBR of 84.8. Andrew Luck, he comes in at fourth with an impressive 77.6. Robert Griffin III? He’s currently tenth, with a respectable 68.7. I’m not going to sit here and analyze every little stat to make you believe Luck is the better quarterback. So, if you’re still not convinced, go read Reilly’s article, “QBR or RG3” on ESPN.com. Oh, and one other stat – the Colts are 6-3 and the Skins are… 3-6.

Quarterbacks I Love in Week 11

Andrew Luck, Colts: He’s facing a Patriots defense that can’t stop the air attack, allowing the sixth most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks (17.8), the fourth most passing yards per game (285), and the third most touchdowns (19). Good luck, New England.

Robert Griffin III, Redskins: If Tony Romo can make the Eagles’ defense look bad, Griffin III can make it look 10x worse.

Carson Palmer, Raiders: I’d love any quarterback who’s up against one of the worst defenses in history. Palmer has been wildly underrated this year, and has put up some respectable numbers. In the ten games he played last year, he threw for 2,753 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. In one less game this year, Palmer has thrown for nearly as many yards (2,723 yards), more touchdowns (15), and less interceptions (9).

Quarterbacks I Hate in Week 11

Joe Flacco, Ravens: The Steelers have not allowed an opposing quarterback to throw for more than 200 yards since Week 6, when Matt Hasselbeck threw for 290. Flacco has been up-and-down this year. He’s coming off a tremendous performance against the Raiders, but the week before that, he threw for just 153 yards and a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns. Who knows which Flacco we’ll see this week.

Running Backs I Love in Week 11

Steven Jackson, Rams: Each time Jackson has been featured in this year’s Love/Hate, he’s been filed under Hate. The only reason I love him this week is the favorable matchup and his solid performance last week. The Jets have allowed the third most rushing yards per game (145.0), and just last week, allowed Marshawn Lynch to run loose for 124 yards and a score. Jackson hasn’t been too hot this year, but his performance in last week’s tie against the 49ers — the first tie since that infamous Eagles/Bengals game in 2008 — was quite impressive. He gathered 101 yards and a touchdown against a defense that hasn’t allowed a rushing touchdown since Week 6 (The last running back who faced the Niners prior to Jackson: six yards on eight carries).

Jamaal Charles, Chiefs: I see no reason why the Chiefs should be letting Matt Cassel throw the ball anytime soon, so I guess its only option is to give the ball to one of the better backs in the NFL. Though it’s clear he hasn’t been himself since returning from a gruesome ACL tear that sidelined him for nearly all of last year (it happened on his twelfth carry of the season), Charles looked like he was headed in the right direction, when he put up an even 100 yards (and a touchdown) against a suffocating Steelers defense. This week, facing a middle-of-the-road run defense like the Bengals should be no sweat.

Running Backs I Hate in Week 11

Ryan Mathews, Chargers: Each passing week predisposes my belief that Ryan Mathews is a bust. He’s shown flashes of what he can do, but has never been able to do so over an extended period of time, and it’s quite frustrating to watch. His lone touchdown of 2012 came back in Week 3 against, of course, the Saints. In Mathews’ last game, he rushed for a mere 74 yards on 22 attempts (3.36 yards per attempts), not to mention he hasn’t surpassed the 100-yard mark for nine straight games, dating back to last season. The fact that Denver has allowed just 194 rushing yards throughout the last three weeks (64.7 yards per game) doesn’t help his cause either.

Matt Forte, Bears: Steven Jackson might have been able to crack the code to this Niners defense, but that doesn’t mean he passed his secrets along to Forte. If Jay Cutler is unable to go, San Francisco will be able to just sit on the run.

Michael Turner, Falcons: Remember earlier how I said this 2012 Saints defense is one of the worst ever? Well, Turner had the luxury of facing them last week. Did you see how he did? 13 carries, 15 yards. I just laughed while typing that.

Wide Receivers I Love in Week 11

Donnie Avery, Colts: Obviously Reggie Wayne is going to do well, so it would be pointless to have him in here. But, just because Wayne succeeds, doesn’t mean another Colts receiver can’t shine as well. If one is going to do so, Avery has the best chance. While it’s been a good eight weeks since he’s found the end zone, Avery should have plenty of opportunities to end that drought this week. The Patriots simply cannot defend the pass, and I’m sure Luck, Wayne and Avery will take full advantage of that.

Denarius Moore, Raiders: Moore and Palmer have developed some serious chemistry this season. Always a long-ball threat, the second-year receiver out of East Tennessee State has been terrific this year. In Moore’s last five games, he’s caught 22 balls for 392 yards (17.8 yards per reception) and four touchdowns. I’ve already said it twice, but it couldn’t hurt to say it again: The Saints defense is one of the worst defenses… ever.

Wide Receivers I Hate in Week 11

Mike Wallace, Steelers: Clearly his numbers will suffer due to the loss of Ben Roethlisberger, I just think the blow might be quite drastic. The one thing he has going for him is his big-play ability; he’s always a deep threat. I really hope I’m wrong on this one.

Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs: As long as Matt Cassel’s throwing him the ball — or at least trying to throw him the ball — my confidence is lower than the amount of touchdown’s Cassel has thrown this year (six).

Tight Ends I Love in Week 11

Jimmy Graham, Saints: Up until Week 6, Graham had not been the same wrecking ball he was last season (he had just three touchdowns and 252 yards). The past three weeks have been a whole different story. Graham has hauled in 20 receptions for 281 yards and four touchdowns. This week, he’ll be opposed by the ninth-most generous teams for opposing tight ends. Graham should have a field day.

Tight Ends I Hate in Week 11

Jermichael Finley, Packers: Disagree? Go to take a gander at his numbers. Absolutely awful.

When it comes to deciding on your lineup, one minor slip-up could be that utterly frustrating difference between a win and a loss; choose wisely.