NFL: How Vulnerable Are the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers in 2012-13?

By now, it's fairly safe to say a couple of things about the Green Bay Packers.

First, they have a darn good offense. One loss to the eventual Super Bowl champions does not negate an entire year of incredible victories.

Second, Aaron Rodgers is the best quarterback in the league—proven by his MVP performance this year. His touchdown to interception ratio was truly incredible on paper, and, in the flesh, his throwing abilities are truly elite.

Third, and perhaps most importantly, Matt Flynn will not be a Packer in the 2012-13 season. His six-touchdown performance against the Detroit Lions, as well as his solid play when subbed in for Rodgers, all but assured him becoming one of the most sought after players in free agency this year.

Flynn is replaceable as a quarterback in terms of his throwing abilities and general play—he is not the greatest quarterback in the league, and there are other quarterbacks better than him.

But what he does give is certainty and security.

Certainty in that when the Packers are up by 40 and Rodgers gets an early finish, you know that Flynn is not going to implode, throw three interceptions and keep the defense on the field for the rest of the night.

Security in that should Rodgers get injured—or simply not start a match at all—Matt Flynn is still able to drive the offense, put points on the board and, most importantly, win football games.

When Rodgers went down with a concussion in Week 14 of the 2010-11 season, Flynn played most of the match against the Detroit Lions and the entire match on the road against the New England Patriots. And whilst Flynn wasn't able to get the job done away from home against Brady and company, he certainly put up an impressive performance.

Flynn was more than capable of stepping in to fill any hole if Rodgers was unavailable.

But with him all but certain to start for another side next year, the job of being the MVP's backup falls to Texas Tech quarterback, Graham Harrell.

Without any disrespect to the man, filling Rodgers' shoes is no easy feat, especially when you haven't played a single minute in the National Football League outside of preseason matches.

Harrell was a two-time All State and three-time All District player and, as a starter, chalked up a 41-3 record. As a senior, he finished with more than 5,000 yards for the season and completed his passes at higher than 70 percent.

Add that to his 45 touchdowns to nine interceptions for the year, and Graham Harrell does boast statistics eerily similar to that of the Packers lead man under center.

It's important to note also that with the current receiving core of the Green Bay Packers, any quarterback will be able to chalk up completions and touchdowns. The likes of Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson alone will relieve some of the pressure on Harrell—should he have to play at all.

One thing is for certain though: Aaron Rodgers will break the touchdown record in the National Football League in the 2012-13 season.

He would have last year also if the Packers weren't up by 40 heading into the final quarter, and if they didn't have such an incredible backup waiting in the wings. Because Harrell is not at the class of Flynn, expect the discount-double-check legend to chalk up more game time, which usually means more touchdowns.

Matt Flynn is a huge loss for the Packers, but it's important to remember that they still have the best quarterback in the game taking snaps for them. Rodgers' pocket presence and ability to make a big-time throw in a pressure situation will hold him in great stead for many years to come.

And whilst Harrell might not leap off the page like a Cam Newton or Andrew Luck does, he boasts a prolific arm and incredible college statistics. And with the receiving core that Green Bay has, he will cover the loss of Flynn comfortably.

Is Aaron Rodgers exposed? The answer is most likely yes, as it does come with being the best quarterback in the league and with the biggest target on your back.

But is it the end of the world? Not in a million years, as Harrell will offset the loss of Matt Flynn.

Just don't expect Rodgers to take anything lightly next year. He might have that MVP award, but you can guarantee that he wants another ring desperately.

Not for any other reason than the fact he wants to win football games, and he wants to do it all the time.

And if this year was anything to go by, he may well just do that.

Follow Dan on Twitter: @dantalintyre