Brees named Offensive POY, Rodgers MVP

GREEN BAY, Wisc. (AP) - Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers capped a memorable season by winning the 2011 Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player award in a landslide last night.

Rodgers earned 48 votes to two for New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the NFL. The Packers star is the first Green Bay player honored since Brett Favre (fahrv) concluded a run of three straight seasons as MVP in 1997.

Rodgers led the NFL in passing with 45 touchdown passes, six interceptions and a 68.3 completion percentage as the Packers went 15-1 and won the NFC North.

He joins former Packers Bart Starr, Jim Taylor and Paul Hornung in being selected MVP.

Rodgers is the third consecutive quarterback voted MVP, joining New England's Tom Brady (2007, 2010) and Indianapolis' Peyton Manning (2008,2009).

In other AP awards:

- San Francisco's Jim Harbaugh has won the 2011 Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year award for leading the 49ers back to the playoffs. The Niners finished 13-3 and lost in the NFC Conference title game to the Giants.

- Drew Brees' record-setting season has earned the New Orleans quarterback the 2011 Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year award.

- Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs, the most dynamic player on the Ravens' staunch defense, has won the 2011 Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.

__ Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has won the 2011 Associated Press NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.

__ Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has won the 2011 Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

__ Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller has won a two-man race with 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith for the 2011 Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.