Liftoff? Chris Johnson seems to have entered the stratosphere with Sunday’s blasting of the Houston Texans defense. Keep CJ in your fantasy lineup. Right now, he’s all the Titans have.

Matt Schaub - the new Drew Brees? Hardly. If you’re excited to see Matt Schaub on your waiver wire after a 4 TD performance, don’t drop a steady player to get him. Schaub has been inconsistent at best in his NFL career. This may have been his best fantasy week of the year.

Felix Jones is this week’s hot pick. With Marion Barber going down with a quad injury, expect Felix Jones to tote the rock for the Dallas Cowboys. It’s yet to be seen if Tashard Choice fills the kick return duties. Keep a close eye if your league favors kick return yardage.

If you’re noticing the San Francisco 49′ers uptick, check out a few players who might still be available in your league - Vernon Davis, Isaac Bruce, Josh Morgan, San Francisco Defense. Frank Gore looks to be a stud this year. If he’s on your team, ride him, hard.

The next John Carlson? Brent Celek, TE, with the Philadelphia Eagles has created curiosity with fantasy owners. He seems to be worth a look. With DeSean Jackson taking most deep balls, Celek may benefit in the short game, thus racking up extra catches in the red zone.

Peyton no longer the top Manning Fantasy Baller? It’s true. Eli Manning now has weapons to deploy. Take Steve Smith and Mario Manningham’s 20 catch performance against the Dallas Cowboys defense as proof. Is there anyone on the Colts other than Reggie Wayne who might catch 10 balls? Enough said.

On the downward trend - Lendale White, Le’Ron McClain. Neither running back seems to be making an impact.

Edelman who? With Wes Welker out, Tom Brady threw a wrench in fantasy football land. He found a new target. If you’re a Randy Moss owner, be worried.

Matt Ryan is the real deal. If you drafted Matt Ryan as your second QB, you might want to consider trading your first. Ryan looks to be a solid 300 yd, 2 td player each week.

Marshawn who? Fred Jackson is making the most of his opportunity with the Buffalo Bills. With 28 carries, 163 yards, and a 5.8 avg in Week 2, it’ll be hard to justify carries for Marshawn Lynch once he returns. Your best bet might be to trade Jackson now. Lynch could take away too many carries in a split situation.

Since taking over in the first game of 2008, Kerry Collins has been the consumate game manager. But what about his stats? For a QB who reeled off the best record in the NFL, finishing 13-3, you would expect more Manning or Brady numbers, right?

In the 2008-2009 season, Kerry Collins threw a whopping 12 touchdowns. Not exactly stats you want to build your fantasy team around. But, this year has potential to be much better. With additions of Kenny Britt, Nate Washington, and a steadily improving Justin Gage, Collins will have plenty of chances for arial assaults on weaker defensive backs. This week’s matchup against the Texans has the potential to be Collins’ first offensive break out game.

Titans fans should remember better than anyone that Kerry Collins can rack up the points when given the chance. Just look back at the 2004 game when Collins, the QB for the Oakland Raiders, torched the Titans for 375 yds and 5 touchdowns.

2004 Titans v. Raiders Stats

Expect an excited fan base this week as the Titans host their first home opener of the regular season. Traditionally, the Titans v. the Texans always proves to be an exciting game with a barn burner thrown in there every now and again. In Week 1 of the 2009 season, Jets rookie Matt Sanchez was able to toss 272 yds and a TD last week versus the Texans. Imagine what an experienced vet like Collins behind a top offensive line might do. If you’re looking for a second starter at QB this week in fantasy football, Collins may be your man.

Note to self…..Adrian Peterson is the real deal!  If you drafted Peterson with the first pick in your 2009 Fantasy Football Draft, you’ve gotta be pretty happy right now.  Busting out with a whopping 180 yds rushing and 3 touchdowns, Peterson served notice to fantasy ballers that the first pick really is worth something. 

Week 1 is maybe the most exciting in fantasy football land.  Now, you find out just how well you drafted. 

Here’s my quick notes and observations from Week 1:

- Drew Brees may throw for 1 million touchdowns in 2009.  If you’re playing in a league which counts kick returns, Robert Meachem should be your first selection from the waiver wire.

- The Steelers run game sux, bad.  I wouldn’t bank my season on Willie Parker or Rashard Mendenhall.  If you have other alternatives, put the Steelers running backs on the trading block. 

- Justin Gage and Kenny Britt from the Tennessee Titans may be worth a look if still available on the waiver wire.  Kerry Collins looks better than ever, and Tennessee has one of the top offensive lines in the league.

- If Anthony Gonzalez is out for considerable time, pick up who ever will be number two.  Peyton Manning will need another outlet.

- Don’t get burned on the Tampa Bay running game.  There’ll be a rush this week to pick up Cadillac Williams or Derric Ward from the waiver wire, but don’t bite.  Earnest Graham may still be in the mix, making the three headed monster in Tampa, too risky for consistent fantasy production.

- Michael Turner started slow against the Dolphins but don’t worry.  They stuck with him into the late quarters.  He’s their workhorse, period.

- Beanie Wells may be the back of the future in Arizona, but don’t count out Tim Hightower just yet.  Hightower showed in the first week that backs who can catch, are worth more.

- Mark Sanchez may be worth a look see.  If you need a backup QB, he might be worth considering. 

- Joshua Cribbs is crazy good.  If you’re in a league counting kick returns (me, raising hand), you’re happy right about now.  If Brady Quinn would find Cribbs more in the passing game, he could be a top receiver.

- Jason Witten might actually catch less in the red zone this year.  Why?  Martellus Bennett.  Bennett had a chance on the fade against the Bucs but Romo didn’t throw it high enough.  With a 6′6 frame, Bennett will see more action at the goal line in the passing game.

- My man crush on Marion Barber is over.  With the emergence of Felix Jones and Tashard Choice, Barber will fight for carries as the season progresses.

- Is John Carlson, TE for the Seattle Seahawks for real?  I hope so.  With a huge week including two td’s, Carlson has the potential to vault to the top 3 in overall stats.  Matt Hassleback is totally underrated.  If he’s available on your waiver wire, pick him up now!

- Carson Palmer continues to be the greatest dissappointment in fantasy history.  So much talent, so little production.  Cedric Benson may be a solid number three running back if he’s still available in your league.

- There seemed to be alot of missed field goals by otherwise reliable kickers this week.  Don’t worry.  Over the course of the year, kickers stay pretty close to their historical averages.

- Darren Sproles may be the starter in San Diego by the middle of the season.  If Tomlinson doesn’t get hurt, the little man Sproles, will beat him out anyways.  How can you keep him on the bench?

- How bad are the Broncos?  It could be a tough year in Mile High, be cautious about loading up on Broncos running backs or receivers.  The odds are, they’ll be inconsistent at best.

- DeSean Jackson is one of my favorite wide receivers in the NFL this year.  I wish I had him on my fantasy team!

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 2009 SEASON PREVIEW - AFC SOUTH

Episode 39 Pundits - Jimmy and August from MusicCityMiracles.com,

Jimmy interviews John from the SB Nation Blog - BigCatCountry.com, a Jacksonville Jaguars fan site. During the discussion, they review the Jaguars 2009 Draft, discuss how the loss of Fred Taylor will change the Jaguars offense, and preview the 2009 season. Jimmy and August from Music City Miracles discuss the Jaguars from a Titan’s fan point of view.

Show produced by RodneyMcCarthy.com. Episode 39 artwork provided by Aditya Thawardas (a.k.a. - smashville)

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Episode 38 Pundits - Jimmy and August of MusicCityMiracles.com, Transient Texan of BattleRedBlog.com

2009 HOUSTON TEXANS TEAM REVIEW - AFC SOUTH

Jimmy interviews TransientTexan from BattleRedBlog.com about the 2009 free agent signings, the 2009 draft picks, and recent news from the Houston Texans. Listen as they discuss what kind of team, Houston will look like in 2009. TransientTexan makes key point for Texans’ success in 2009 - road wins. TransientTexan also talks about Vince Young and reveals a surprising opinion of who got the better pick in 2006 - Houston or Tennessee? Jimmy and August discuss.

Intro - “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure”, Classic Houston Oilers Theme Song, “Blind in Texas” - W.A.S.P., Exit - “Blind in Texas” - W.A.S.P.

Show produced by RodneyMcCarthy.com. Episode 38 artwork provided by Aditya Thawardas (a.k.a. - smashville)

Call the Music City Miracles Comment Line sponsored by LittleSugarDomains.com - (615) 338-5965 - TOLL FREE

Follow the Music City Miracles Podcast Show on YouTube.

Subscribe to Pigskin Pundits in I-Tunes today!

MusicCityMiracles.com is part of the SB Nation.

VISIT THE PIGSKINPUNDITS HOMEPAGE

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Episode 37 Pundits - Jimmy and August from MusicCityMiracles.com, ShakeNBake from StampedeBlue.com

2009 Indianapolis Colts Preview - AFC South