2009 NFL Regular Season Week One | Fantasy Football Player Rankings

There's a reason why Week One is not easy to predict.

Every team is healthy to start the year and everyone has a fresh slate. With new beginnings comes the belief that every team feels they have a chance to win.

That new belief can bring about unpredictable games like the 49ers beating the Cardinals or the Bills taking the Patriots to the wire.

Below I have some observations from the first week of the regular season and how I see those points of interest playing out from a fantasy perspective.

Fantasy Football Week One Regular Season Notes

Chiefs Hang Tough with Ravens

You would not know the Chiefs stayed with the Ravens by the statistics, but they did play hard all game. If the Chiefs can play with this kind of energy most weeks in 2009 then they might have a decent season.

I will be interested to see if the Chiefs can get Larry Johnson going at home next week against the Raiders.

49ers Beat Cardinals

Somehow, the 49ers generated a pass rush and did not allow passes down the field all day against the pass-happy Cards. In the end, San Francisco's offense was bad, but they did put an 80-yard drive together for a Frank Gore touchdown when they needed to.

I will be interested to see if Kurt Warner and the Cardinals' offense continue their struggles against the Jaguars next week. At this point in time, Warner really needs Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston to get healthy.

Tomlinson Washed Up?

During this offseason, much had been made about LaDainian Tomlinson and if the game had passed him by.

Through the spring and summer, I was on board with the idea that Tomlinson would have a strong comeback. When the preseason came along, I was concerned about how I saw him run the ball.

My opinion on Tomlinson changed completely when Norv Turner held LT out of the third preseason game. Turner noted that Tomlinson was not injured, but he did say he was concerned about him running on turf.

Last year, Tomlinson played on turf toe all year, and I was concerned that he did long-term damage to the toe. When he was held out because Turner was "concerned" I believed the toe was still a problem.

In Monday night's game, Tomlinson only carried the ball 13 times. Then he rolled his ankle in the first half.

This led to Darren Sproles playing full time at the end of the game when the Chargers were making their comeback.

Tomlinson is in no way the best running back in football anymore. At this time, he should be considered nothing more than a decent No. 2 back for your fantasy team.

Directly below, I have listed six games that I believe are worth a closer look.

2009 NFL Regular Season Week One

Steelers vs. Titans

Eagles vs. Panthers

Cowboys vs. Buccaneers

Bears vs. Packers

Patriots vs. Bills

Chargers vs. Raiders

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