In the supposed Year of the Quarterback, Aaron Rodgers wore the belt.

Rodgers captured the NFL MVP in near-unanimous fashion with 48 of the 50 votes. Rodgers had the best single-season passer rating in NFL history, throwing 45 touchdowns to six interceptions, averaging 9.2 yards per pass attempt on a 68.3% completion rate. Rodgers won his first 13 games of the 2011 season to lead the Packers on the way to home-field advantage.

2011 in general was a remarkable year for one of Cal's greatest. Rodgers piled up incredible stats from the end of the 2010-11 regular season, through the 2011 NFL Playoffs, all the way through the 2011 NFL regular season. Rodgers won his first 18 starts of the 2011 season, starting with a victory over Chicago that leapt the Packers into the NFC Playoffs, three road victories in Philadelphia, Atlanta (this being of the greatest quarterbacking performances in NFL Playoff history), and Chicago, and a Super Bowl MVP performance in Dallas against the Steelers.

Here's hoping it's the first of many. Go Aaron and GO BEARS!

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Aaron Rodgers is coming off a season (hell, a year) that belonged to him. It started by clinching a playoff berth in Lambeau, which paved a road through Philadelphia and Atlanta and Chicago, all the way to Dallas, and his first ever championship and his first Super Bowl MVP. Then he went out and won 13 straight games for the Packers, sewing up home field advantage on Christmas night. It was an absolutely remarkable campaign.

Does 2012 promise more of the same? Possibly. Desmond Bishop and the Green Bay Packers defense might have to start playing better though. Bishop (a Pro Bowl candidate early in the year) went out with injury sometime later in the season, and they haven't been the same since. Teams have been able to grind clock and keep the ball away from Rodgers, which in turn keeps defenses fresh and ready to go after him when he has the football. The quest starts against the New York Giants this afternoon, a team that probably will epitomize that formula to the letter.

Lose, and a long and disappoint offseason awaits (even if he's probably about to win the league MVP in a few weeks). Win, and we could have a lot of severely torn Cal fans out there for the NFC Championship Game (but what else is new? We always have deep questions to answer).

This is your open thread. Should be fun. GO BEARS!

Pretty sure any national game featuring Aaron Rodgers will be a CGB Open Thread going forward.

DeSean. Tony G. Nnamdi. Decoud. Sunday Night Football.

Might be the Michael Vick Bowl to everyone else, but all I see are Golden Bears.

(via slatetundra07)

In case you've forgotten, Aaron Rodgers and Desmond Bishop are finally going to get their rings. The NFL season kicks off tonight, and two of the greatest California Golden Bears ever are two of the newest members of Titletown. Rodgers and Bishop will now look to begin their quest to repeat, and Rodgers is already set to run an evolved Mike McCarthy offense that will take advantage of his scrambling ability.

This night belongs to Rodgers and Bishop, but Cameron Jordan also gets his first chance to shine as a member of the New Orleans Saints. Jordan is expected to play and start in his first regular season game as a Saint, and will look to make a big impact on opening week.

(You can also watch Mike Stoops and his Arizona Wildcats stumble all over themselves in Stillwater against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Take your pick on one of many glorious nights of football ahead.)

When: 11:45 am PDT
TV: ESPN
Stream: ESPN3

First, don't forget to read this great preview by tjalorak.  For the neutral fan, this should be a spectacular final.  Like France, Japan play a fluid, possession oriented brand of attacking football.  Unlike France, they are stronger in defense are are less wasteful in front of goal.  And as magical as this run has seemed for the United States, the Japanese have a pretty special story of their own:

"They're the sentimental favorites in this tournament," Solo conceded. "They're playing for something bigger and better than the game. When you're playing with so much heart, that's hard to play against."

Per the usual, Alex Morgan will almost certainly be starting on the bench.  After looking dangerous during her limited minutes, then finally scoring against France, the chorus calling for Morgan to start has grown even louder.  Still, there is something to be said for defined roles and fresh legs against a tiring defense.  In any case, it's very likely that this game will not be decided until late in the contest, which means Morgan will have the chance to permanently etch her name in US sports history today.  Go Bears! Go USA!

When: 9:00 am PDT
TV: ESPN
Stream: ESPN3

It's not possible to top the drama of the quarter-final victory over Brazil, but that's not the point.  The point is winning another World Cup, which is something this team has the talent to do.  But France, despite being very new to this stage of the competition, is no pushover.  American fitness and conditioning will be tested after such a long, draining game just three days ago, but I'd wager this team prepared for such challenges.

As for Alex Morgan, it should be the same story - starting on the bench before relieving Amy Rodriguez.  It would be in everybody's best interests if Rodriguez were a bit more effective, but if not Morgan can again fill the roll of energetic pest.  Hopefully this time around she'll get a chance to show off her talent while playing with a full 11 women team.  Alex has a question for you:

alexmorgan13 Alex Morgan

had pre game practice at the stadium and some time to relax... we are ready for this!! are you?

When: 8:30 PDT
TV: ESPN
Stream: ESPN3

Losing to Sweden has forced an earlier-than-anticipated showdown with fellow world power Brazil.  With Germany having been eliminated, today's winner will feel that they are the hands-down favorite to hoist the trophy next Sunday.  The loser will have fallen well below expectations.

The United States desperately needs a spark at forward, where Amy Rodriguez and Abby Wambach have combined for just one goal and countless wasted chances.  Team changes are very likely, but that doesn't necessarily mean the inclusion of Alex Morgan, though she acquitted herself reasonably well in the 2nd half against Sweden.

Enjoy this battle of soccer titans.  USA!