In this world, gorillas come in all shapes and sizes. Usually, you find them in zoo's, like the legendary Samson at the Milwaukee County Zoo, or in the movies, like King Kong.

In the case of Aaron Rodgers, this one rode a tractor and wore number 4.

After tonight and the Packers' 24-19 win, the King Kong gorilla fell off Rodgers.

Granted, this game isn't necessarily the complete resume builder to turn Rodgers into Brett Favre, Bart Starr and Arnie Herber (the Packers' three Hall of Fame QB's).

178 yards won't do that, and neither will one touchdown pass and run.

But this one counts BIG in the all-time ranks because of what Aaron Rodgers did that doesn't always show up on the stats.

Read the rest of the story below this series of links. 

Game Blog | Game Story

Analysis:
• Jeff Falconio: Mr. Rodgers' Neighborhood
• Jay Sorgi: Get the Gorilla Off Aaron Rodgers
• The Llama Laments: Case of the Mondays

Packers Gameday Audio:
• Pregame w/Coach McCarthy
• Packers Insider: Brady Poppinga
• Bill Michaels in one-on-one with Antonio Freeman
• Blast From the Past

Pregame Coverage:
• Game Blog
• Aaron's Success "All In The Numbers"
• Packers Platter: Chef Tyler from the Milwaukee Ale House
• Packers, Vikings Rivalry Evident

Our Experts Predict
• Tonight vs. Vikings
• 2008 Season

2008 Season Preview:
• Quarterbacks
• Running Backs
• Receivers
• Offensive Line
• Defensive Line
• Linebackers
• Defensive Backs
• Special Teams

More:
• Favre Makes Jets Debut

Sportsbubbler:
• The Daily Drink 
• "Turn Off That Damn Horn" 
• 10 Things To Watch For 
• Game Thread

He was smart.

You almost never saw him make a risky throw.

The touchdown pass to Korey Hall looked like a Brett Favre chuck-it-up special, until you saw that there was only one spot that Rodgers could throw it where it could be caught, and couldn't be intercepted.

Rodgers threw it there, to a diving Hall in the end zone.

He made intelligent decisions, like seeing open holes for sprints to the sidelines for first downs.

In the ultimate pressure cooker game for a rookie, he came out with a 115 rating on an 81% completion rate and a touchdown run.

You can't ask for more than that.

Congrats, Aaron Rodgers. You are, at least for one night, the real deal.

Will it last longer? That's up to you and your teammates from now on.

But for now, no complaints, and no gorillas on your shoulder.