This scenario could have caused the Apocalypse

The first NFL weekend has come and gone, so let's not beat around the bush and talk about the major injuries that occurred. Seriously, the rash of injuries that hit the league this past weekend borders on absurd. Some may say the bigger story is all the teams that lost (Colts, Chargers, Jags, Browns), the teams that surprisingly won (Bears, Panthers, Titans, Packers), or even the mini-sagas that developed (the Colts getting old, the emotional roller coaster that is Vince Young, would the Raiders lose to USC right now).

But nothing altered the landscape of this NFL season more than the rash of injuries, particularly season-ending ones, that went down this past weekend. Think about all the storylines that have come about because of the loss of so many crucial pieces.

Seriously, look at this injured list: Tom Brady, Shawne Merriman, Nate Burleson, Vince Young. That's all in the first week of the season!

It's got people talking crazy, too. As we all know, Vince Young's relatives apparently think he's so depressed that the authorities must be on the lookout. I don't mean to make fun of the situation, but c'mon this is football. Isn't this the same guy photographed as such:



Even my man Peter King is going off the deep end a little bit. In his latest Monday Morning Qb column on SI.com, King does what no fan wants done to them after a summer full of Live from Kiln, Mississippi and other such rinky dink towns in Mississippi special reports courtesy of fine standing journalists at various outlets. King, bless his heart because I live for his column every Monday, takes Tom Brady's injury and decides to turn it around into another examination of the Favre saga:

But my very, very strong opinion is that had Favre stayed retired, and if Brady got hurt, and if the Patriots came calling (which they most certainly would have), Favre would be in Foxboro today.

Seriously, this Favre story gives me the same feeling I get thinking about this ridiculous New Kids on the Block Reunion. What I'm trying to say is whoever thought that either of these two things (continuing to take about Favre and NKOB embracing the past) were good ideas should be fired ... immediately!

At least what King wrote about was hypothetical. These injuries are the real deal. I think it's pretty reasonable to say the AFC is wide open. I don't think any team can say with a straight face that they're a favorite right now. Also, before I get going, congratulations to the two new teams I'm paying attention to: the Broncos and Panthers. Both have made me look good so far. I hope it continues.