NFL Week 1 Thoughts

Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 12:00 pm ET

The Packers and Saints were a fantastic opening act to the 2011 NFL season. It was every bit the shootout that we were hoping for. Sunday's action was fantastic and a Monday night doubleheader awaits. Here are some of my thoughts starting with the FFN leagues.

The combination of Drew Brees, Cedric Benson, and Reggie Wayne helped me secure a nice opening win over Aaron in the FFN Users League I. I wasn't quite so lucky against Matt in the FFN Users League II. His team was led by dominating performances from Ray Rice, Matt Forte, and Greg Jennings. Matt Schaub, Shonne Green, and Larry Fitzgerald didn't show up like I needed them to. While Matt handed me a defeat, I went 2 for 3 in FFN leagues by edging out Kay Adams from Sirius/XM Radio in Week 1 of the FFN Experts League. Good games to all!

Before I get to some of my thoughts, if you're looking for a rundown of Sunday's games, check out The Sports Network. Steve Schwarz does a nice job of giving the fantasy recap of each game. Definitely a must read!

One of the big stories from Sunday had to be the tremendous performance from rookie Cam Newton. That's a name that's coming off the waiver wire this week. He made Steve Smith fantasy-relevant again. While it's easy to salivate at the thought of 400 yards and 3 scores, temper your expectation. It's one thing to light up the Arizona secondary. It's quite another when it's the Green Bay secondary. Charles Woodson and company are not going to be as easy. Still, it was a record setting performance that should build some excitement in Carolina.

Do me a favor fellow nerds - if you see Chris Johnson, please let him know that I have a can of Rust-Oleum for him. That was unexpected, now wasn't it? Perhaps the Titans shouldn't have given him such a big contract. All that money is weighing him down.

Holy Injuries Batman!

Were these guys just not well conditioned? While some guys like Dez Bryant simply cramped up and came back into the game, many fantasy owners will be hitting the waiver wire this week. Steven Jackson was likely a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick for most. After his 47 yard score, he managed just one more run before calling it a day. Check back as his status is in doubt for Week 2. The bad news didn't stop there for the Rams as Sam Bradford hurt his right index finger and Danny Amendola left with a dislocated elbow (out for most of the season - possibly all).

Discussing whether or not Randy Moss visited New Orleans is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn't really get you anywhere. The Saints are denying any interest in the retired WR, but they may want to reconsider as Colston is out for at least the next month with a broken collarbone. Lance Moore may not play Week 2 so the Saints could be without two of their top receivers for a while.

Nate Kaeding, everyone's favorite kicker, is out for the season. Sadly, he never made it past the opening kickoff. The Chargers were understandably nervous after seeing Mike Tolbert limping to the sideline. He had a tremendous day seeing the endzone three times. Fortunately it appears that he'll be just fine.

Will he or won't he? That's what we were all asking about Arian Foster on Sunday morning. He ended up not playing which was the safe move for the Texans as Ben Tate took care of the unable-to-win-without-Peyton Colts. That was not the Colts that we've gotten used to seeing. Let's hope they were just getting used to Kerry Collins.