2009 NFL Season Preview: Five Things To Watch For

You're done picking the games, placing bets, analyzing players, and drafting your fantasy team.

Or, at least you should be.

But either way, the only thing keeping you from the start of the 2009 season is a long Wednesday and a droning Thursday. Because Thursday night, after seven, all of the planning, bar-talking, know-it-all conversation, staying up all night before your eight draft-binging—all of that—is gone.

It's done and over with. It's just you, the t.v., and a slug-fest matchup between the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers.

It was the matchup we thought we'd see in last year's AFC Championship, but never got the chance to. It's the ageless wonder, Kerry Collins (or is that Kurt Warner? Or Brett Favre?) versus the sexual plunder, Ben Roethlisberger (shameless, I know. I do apologize).

But it's more than that.

It's a stepping-stone to Sunday, Sept. 13, when the real action begins. When 26 teams square-off and try to create new "firsts," break records, cause dreams to be born, to bring mighty would-be champions down a peg or two—if only for one week—and to allow bottom-dwelling teams like the Lions and/or Rams to pretend they can compete.

It's the NFL, friends. And it's knocking at our doors. So, with beer in hand, with friends galore, open that screaming, tear-filled, bet-ridden door. And shake hands with the 2009 season.

But first, of course, take a look at the Five Things to Watch For in Week One:

Do The Steelers Have the Makings of Another Super Bowl Run?

While it's impossible to know whether or not they can do it again by watching one game, it's also impossible for us not to overreact. After all, it's just the first game of football, and it's all we know until week two corrects our past predictions.

Truly, the Steelers (and Titans, alike) should be tested mightily in their first match, but for the defending champs, we should be able to see if they'll still run the same smash-mouth offense, aggressive defense, and if Mike Tomlin will still make the right calls.

My guess is, at least for week one, the Steelers escape unscathed by the injury bug, beat the Albert Haynesworth-less Titans, and spark talk of "repeating" all throughout Pennsylvania.

After all, since when did anyone in Pittsburgh not pick the Steelers to win it all?

Well, maybe Eagles fans.

Is Brett Favre "The Answer" For Minnesota?

Personally, I'm pulling for the guy.

The world has beaten this 39 (soon to be 40)-year-old up so much, both on and off an NFL field, and all he's done is continued to say that he loves to play the game.

Perhaps he has hidden agendas and personal vendettas, but truth is of importance to me, and if Brett Favre says he came back to win, and not to spite Ted Thompson, I'll believe it.

Until, of course, I see two course middle fingers rise up as Favre exits Lambeau Field for the final time.

Regardless, Favre's return has more impact on Minnesota's playoff (and Super Bowl) hopes than people give him credit for.

If they were serious contenders with Sage ls and Tarvaris Jackson, then how are they not with a healthy Brett Favre?

But we could debate this back and forth all day. The point is, we won't know for sure until his final game of the season, until that final five-game stretch, until the Vikings do or don't win the Super Bowl.

But in week one at Cleveland? Favre will indeed be the answer, at least for now.

Will the Lions Start Things Off With a Bang?

And I do emphasize "a" bang.

After going 0-16 last season, how magical and unlikely would it be if the newly built (kind of) Jim Schwartz-led Lions upset the Saints and actually, you know, competed in their division?

Unlikely, yes, but not impossible.

Think Rocky. Think the 2008 Miami Dolphins.

Are the Lions the next "redeem team"?

Well, either way you look at it, they're definitely improved on paper, and with Matthew Stafford named the starter to start the season, they're taking a firm hold of their youth/talent movement and riding the coat-tails of the former Bulldog to whatever success he can muster up.

Does that mean they beat the potentially Super Bowl-contending Saints on Sunday? Of course not.

But it's still a game worth watching.

Want the final two? Hit up www.theredzonereport.com to catch what else is hot this season before the NFL kicks off!