A Lambeau-tiful Monday Night

Aaron Rodgers assumed the mantle of Green Bay quarterback last night, ending most doubts about his abilities and the purge of Brett Favre with a 24-19 win over Minnesota on Monday night. I'm very happy for Rodgers, whom the crowd supported throughout the game. Minnesota's defense is among the league's best, but Rodgers handled the Vikings in stride. I wish I could say this puts an end to the "did the Packers make the right move?" question, but I'm certain it will crop up again when Rodgers has his first bad game. There are too many media types in the tank for Favre for it not too.

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Knees seem to be the big losers so far this NFL season: Tom Brady, Osi Umenyiora and Nate Burleson are all out for the season with knee injuries. Shawn Merriman should be out for the season, but he's too bent on winning a Super Bowl to realize his knee needs massive surgery.

Others fitting squarely in the "loser" category this weekend: The Bengals — Maybe they should have worried more about their offensive scheme than whether or not they should let an underperforming, injured wide receiver change the name on his uniform to "Ocho Cinco."

The Rams — That rebuilt pass rush didn't seem to trouble Eagles QB Donovan McNabb too much in the Eagles 38-3 smackdown.

The Lions — If you lose to the Falcons this season, who are you supposed to beat?

Pac-10 officials — The rule says you can't throw the ball "high in the air" in celebration and the Washington QB did so. It's a dumb rule. He threw the ball in the air. He didn't breakdance in the end zone and pretend to moon the opposition. Alas, a rule is a rule ... and it cost the Huskies the game against BYU after their PAT was blocked because it was 15-yards further away.

The Yankees — Say goodnight. Wish I could say they gave the playoffs a good run. But they didn't. Injuries didn't help, but the lineup is too good to be this bad.

The Rays — Those footsteps they're hearing from behind? They're going to feel them any minute now. Especially after dropping four in a row and six of their last 10.

Notre Dame — Yeah. I know they won. Over San Diego State. By only eight points. Over San Diego State. For those who don't know, San Diego State gave up 483 yards of total offense in a season-opening loss to Cal Poly ... a D-IAA school. Touchdown Jesus may want to close his eyes for the next few home games in the Irish can't get themselves straightened out.

And because I don't like ending on sour notes ... a few winners as well.

Donovan McNabb — He still doesn't have a No. 1 receiver. In fact his top two are hurt right now. All he does is dice up the Rams. Sorry, Rush, this guy's pretty good.

East Carolina — Virginia Tech? Beaten. West Virginia? Beaten. Chances that UVA will prevent the Purple Pirates from gaining the Virginia trifecta? Zero.