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Rodgers, Packers begin post-Favre era against Vikings

Sep 8, 2008 - 1:36 PM Minnesota at Green Bay, Monday, 7:00 pm EDT

GREEN BAY, Wisconsin (Ticker) -- Despite what some Green Bay Packers fans might think, the NFL does not stand for the National Favre League.

After a tumultuous summer, the Packers officially begin the Aaron Rodgers' era on Monday when they host the Minnesota Vikings in an NFC North contest.

After spending the first three years of his career on the bench, the 24-year-old Rodgers was anointed the Packers' starting quarterback when Brett Favre retired in the offseason .

"You can't replace a legend and I know that going in,'' said Rodgers, who seemed unfazed by the turmoil at the beginning of Green Bay's training camp. "'All I can do is try to be the best quarterback I can be. I'm not going to let anyone outwork me and I'm going to be accountable to my coaches and teammates.''

Having played in only seven games, Rodgers is sure to experience some growing pains and faces a nearly impossible situation following the beloved Favre, but the Packers determined it was time to move in a different direction.

Last season, Favre led the Packers to a surprising 13-3 record and the NFC championship game, where they lost in overtime to the New York Giants, 23-20.

When the 38-year-old Favre decided to un-retire, the Packers refused to give in to his demands and eventually traded him to the New York Jets after much posturing from both sides. Monday marks the first time Green Bay will play a game without Favre since the 1991 season.

While Rodgers learns on the job, the Packers will be looking for more production from running back Ryan Grant, who emerged as a serious threat last season. Despite not starting until midseason, Grant finished the season with 956 yards, then rushed for a team playoff-record 201 yards in a 42-20 victory over Seattle.

After an 8-8 campaign in 2007, the Vikings expect to contend for a playoff spot, but they need improved play from erratic quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, who was the league's 28th-ranked quarterback last season after throwing for just nine touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

The focal point of Minnesota's offense again will be running back Adrian Peterson, last season's NFL Rookie of the Year, but the Vikings need to keep him healthy.

Peterson rushed for an NFC-record 296 yards in the eighth game of his career, a 35-17 victory over the San Diego Chargers. However, Peterson suffered a knee injury the following week - a 34-0 loss at Green Bay - and was not the same when he returned three weeks later, accumulating 260 yards in his last five games.