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The Aaron Rodgers era in Green Bay Packers could never really begin until the Brett Favre era ended, and even after Favre's retirement in March, it never felt like the future Hall of Famer had left.

With Favre and his 442 touchdown passes now 1,000 miles away, it's time for Rodgers -- the owner of one career TD toss -- to take center stage.

Rodgers and the Packers begin the post-Favre era in Green Bay on Monday night when they host the rival Minnesota Vikings in a season-opening battle between teams expected to vie for the NFC North title.

Many observers around the NFL felt Favre's record-setting career was over after he had sub-par seasons in 2005 and 2006. Then Favre responded with a year that conjured up memories of his prime. He completed 66.5 percent of his passes for 4,155 yards and 28 touchdowns last season, taking the Packers (13-3) to the NFC championship game, where they lost 23-20 in overtime to the New York Giants.

Favre retired in early March, leaving Rodgers to lead the team, but got an itch to play again during training camp. In an ugly saga between a player as synonymous with a city as the franchise itself, Favre and the Packers became involved in a stalemate. Green Bay Packers was ready to move on with Rodgers as its quarterback, but Favre wasn't ready to give up football. He was eventually traded to the New York Jets on Aug. 6, leaving Rodgers with the entire preseason knowing the Packers are his team.

"I think he grew up," Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said of Rodgers. "I think we all grew up a little bit during that situation. I think he did a very good job of handling a challenge, handling a situation that there really wasn't a script for and was unprecedented."

No quarterback other than Favre has started a game for Green Bay since Sept. 27, 1992, so the only action Rodgers saw in his three years backing Favre up was in mop-up duty. He's thrown just 59 passes and one touchdown in his brief career, but feels like his role during the preseason saga has helped him just as much as snaps in meaningful games.

These eight have got to be great for playoff success

We know stars shine brightest in the playoffs. So as we ready for this weekend's Divisional Playoff round, we're expecting players like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Randy Moss, Tony Romo, Brett Favre and Patrick Kerney to make their presence felt.

Great players show off in the postseason. It's their time.

But to win in the playoffs, it takes an entire team effort. Stars make it easier for sure, but the grunts, those under-appreciated players, need to do their jobs just as well.

So I've come up with a list of eight players from the eight teams, guys most fans outside of their own cities probably don't know, who can be key to their teams' successes this weekend.

The stars will get the spotlight, and usually hog it. But these guys should be watched closely as well.

New England Patriots

RB Kevin Faulk: With all the talk about the outside passing game for the Patriots, look for Faulk to have a major impact in the short passing game. Faulk is one of the best screen backs in the league. The Jaguars will focus a lot of their attention down the field, which is the right thing to do, but Faulk may make them pay. He has been a valuable player for this offense for years and never really gets his due.

Jacksonville Jaguars

TE Marcedes Lewis: You know the Patriots will get their points, so the Jaguars will have to keep up. That means more success in the passing game. Lewis has developed into a quality target in the middle of the field. Being matched up against the New England linebackers, who don't run that well, he might find some soft spots. Look for Lewis to catch at lease five passes against those backers.

Indianapolis Colts

DT Ed Johnson: He has been a rookie starter all season long, and he's played well. Johnson's play in the middle of the Colts line will be vital to the success of their being able to slow LaDainian Tomlinson. If he can win against a good inside three for the Chargers, it could force the game into the hands of Philip Rivers. That's what the Colts want. Johnson has been a real find as one player who wasn't drafted.

San Diego Chargers

CB Quentin Jammer: Yes, Antonio Cromartie is the All-Pro in that secondary, but they have to get good play out of Jammer. The Colts will have Marvin Harrison back at receiver, which means three big-time threats in Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez. Jammer has to come up big to try and slow down the Colts passing game. He has the skills, and Norv Turner said he had a Pro Bowl season, but he had just one pick.

Dallas Cowboys

WR Patrick Crayton: With Terrell Owens playing on a sore ankle and Terry Glenn competing after missing most of the season with an injury, Crayton has to be a factor in the passing game. He's had a big-time season subbing for Glenn, but it has to carry over here. If Owens really struggles, Crayton might be the go-to guy. It's his chance to show he's up to the task.

New York Giants

LT David Diehl: He is starting for the first time this year at left tackle, and that's been an adjustment. Now he gets Chris Canty in front of him on run downs and DeMarcus Ware coming at him on passing downs. That's not easy. Diehl doesn't have great feet, but instead makes up for that with his toughness. He has to keep Eli Manning clean of Ware for the Giants to have success.

Green Bay Packers

RT Mark Tauscher: With the way Patrick Kerney is exploding off the left end spot, you have to neutralize him. Brett Favre gets rid of the ball quickly, but Tauscher will have to play big against Kerney. When he gets going, the Seattle defense seems to feed off of Kerney. If Tauscher struggles, it could be a long day for Favre and the offense. Tauscher is a tough, physical player who has held up in pass protection against good players in the past.

Seattle Seahawks

RT Sean Locklear: Seahawks left tackle Walter Jones is on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But it's Locklear on the other side who must come up big for the Seahawks this week. He will be matched against Packers defensive end Aaron Kampman, who plays with a relentless style. Any let up and Kampman will kill Locklear. Locklear has to keep Kampman off Matt Hasselbeck and handle Kampman in the run game if Shaun Alexander has any chance of attacking the Packers.