Titans: 2009 NFL Regular Season Schedule | Fantasy Football Rankings

Last season the Titans had everything go their way with a nice schedule and an electric running back in Chris Johnson who caught teams off guard.

If the Titans hope to win the AFC South this season, they will have to make up for the loss of Albert Haynesworth on defense.

Below are three points of interest that are worth paying attention to for fantasy owners coming into the season for this team.

First, we have listed our fantasy players we believe are worth paying attention to this season.

Next, is the Titans' strength of schedule against the run, pass, and points against.

Lastly, we have a few games selected that will be key in telling how this team will perform for the 2009 season.

Fantasy Players

QB—Kerry Collins
QB—Vince Young
RB—Chris Johnson
RB—LenDale White
WR—Justin Gage
WR—Nate Washington
WR—Kenny Britt
TE—Bo Scaife
K—Rob Bironas
D—Titans

Strength of Schedule

vs. Run 16th Hardest Schedule

vs. Pass Fifth Easiest Schedule

vs. Points Given Up Ninth Easiest Schedule

While it's hard to put much stock in preseason performance, the Titans' running game has struggled so far in their first three games. Sure, their yards per carry was fine in their last contest against the Browns, but last year they would put a defense like that down early with a couple big touchdown runs.

Johnson and White should have a good season together, but I'm not sure they will come close to the success they had in 2008. It seems defenses around the NFL are content with loading up to stuff the run and making Kerry Collins beat them with the passing game.

Games of Interest

Week One vs. Steelers

Right off the bat the Titans will face one of their harder teams on their schedule as they play the NFL opener against the defending Super Bowl champs on Thursday night. One would think this is a tough matchup for the Titans offense but it's actually a good thing to play a really good team in the first week.

The reason for that is solid defenses tend to take a few weeks before they play at the dominant level they are capable of. Hopefully Collins and Johnson can take advantage and have a decent game for fantasy owners before the Pittsburgh defense really gets up to speed.

Weeks Eight through 14

The Titans schedule has some hard defensive match-ups in the first six weeks but from week eight on they play a very nice stretch run. In that time they play games against the 49ers, Texans, Cardinals, Colts, Jaguars, and Rams.

One would have to believe that Chris Johnson would be primed to help your fantasy team get to the postseason with a stretch run like this.

2009 Football Projection

Look for the Titans to be in the mix for the playoffs all season long, as they have a solid team up and down the roster. In the end for this team to make it to the postseason they will need to stop the run without Haynesworth in the lineup.

That fact may make you hesitate when it comes to choosing the Titans defense for your fantasy team, but Johnson and even White should still be safe selections.

Fantasy Football Information Writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com