The Aaron Rodgers Era Officially Commences

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↵As we speak, Packers fans across this country are calming their nerves with full-bodied ales and various yellow cheeses in anticipation of their team’s first starting quarterback change in 16 years. Rodgers, who in the understatement of the century says tonight will be “surreal,” has to be more nervous than them all. It’s a nationally televised game, the first Monday nighter of the season, he’s replacing a legend God, and it’s against your team’s biggest rival. What can go wrong?↵↵At least for Rodgers, Tarvaris Jackson will be quarterbacking on the other side, so it should be relatively easy to be the best signal-caller on the field tonight. ↵

↵↵As for the rest of the Packers, they either still think Brett Favre is their QB, or they’re just in some state of denial:↵

↵↵⇥“We’ve got basically the same team [as last season],” cornerback Charles Woodson said. “So we like our chances.”↵⇥↵⇥[…]↵⇥

↵⇥↵⇥“Thirteen and three, I don’t think anything changes,” receiver Donald Driver said of the Packers’ realistic goals for the season. “We still have our same team, so nothing changes.”↵⇥

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Yes, basically the same exact team, except for their best player has been replaced by a virtual unknown. But yeah, other than that minor detail, totally identical to last year.↵↵As for a prediction, I’m going with the Packers in a close one. Despite the dominance of Adrian Peterson, and their highly touted defense, I refuse to pick the Vikings to win any big games with Jackson at QB -- especially not a Week 1, Monday Night Football game in Lambeau. It’s just a little rule of mine, because, well, he’s awful. ↵

↵↵(Note: I also put my money where my mouth is yesterday, as I was convinced that the Lions would crush the Falcons, so my above prediction probably means Jackson will throw for 350 yards and four TDs. If you ever want your team to win a big game, just ask me to pick against them.)↵

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