When seeing a title like "Aaron Rodgers and The Bad News Bears" you are probably wondering why I would dare to make such a statement to compare the Green Bay Packers to a fictional little league baseball team full of misfits.  Think of this as a defense for every angry, annoyed, and deflated Packers fan who went into work this morning on edge about having to answer questions from your colleagues about how the Packers managed to lose another game late in the fourth quarter.  For all of you people who had to endure that Monday Morning cooler talk I am here for you and feel your frustration.  

I think the frustration travels much deeper than Ty Montgomery going rogue or having a “miscommunication” with the coaching staff (depending on whose account you believe) on a fumbled kick off return or a mind-boggling run call by Mike McCarthy at the half yard line with Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh charging through the A-gap.  This frustration comes from what seems like a lifetime of absolutely brutal losses against the leagues best teams in the final moments of high-pressure contests due to some unforeseen penalty, unbelievable play, or debilitating turnover.  It seems at this point, that the Packers have a way of snatching a loss away from the jaws of victory.  

This rollercoaster like drama to Packer games has left fans on the edge of their seats for years and has given them the uneasiness of knowing that on any given Sunday the Packers can beat any team or lose to any team.  Unfortunately, we as Packer fans tend to focus on the fact that we can be defeated by any team on any given Sunday which is why we all suffer from in-game heart palpitations during each week's contest due to the paranoia that something will go wrong.

This has become the Packer way during the McCarthy era; lose to an awful Lions or Buccaneers team one week, then, rally to make the playoffs, go on a historic run as a six seed, and win a Super Bowl.  As grateful as we all are for the championship in 2011, I think it is fair to say that these erratic inconsistencies that Mike Mccarthy teams have shown over the years, have been driving the fan base absolutely nuts.  

A perfect illustration of these inconsistencies manifesting themselves yet again has been the dramatic difference in performance that the Packers have shown in the last two contests.  In one week the Packers nearly managed to lose at home to the largely depleted San Fransisco 49ers and in another week they nearly knocked off the undefeated LA Rams on the road.  The dramatic swings in performance to this point in the season still leave us all wondering which Green Bay Packers team will show up next Sunday Night in Foxborough.  

The frustration of the fan base travels further than the erratic play of the team and believe it or not, travels further than everyone's feelings for Mike McCarthy.  I believe that the frustration of Packer nation reaches its boiling point each time that the team invents a new way to lose a game in the final moments.  From the ”Fail Mary” to squandering a two-score lead in the NFC Championship Game in Seattle, Packer fans have dealt with some devastating losses throughout the last several seasons.  Every loss during a crucial point in the season gives the fanbase a jarring reminder of the Packers inability to close out big games.  

Throughout these devastating losses, the Packers have given their fans reason for optimism and excitement.  Yesterday it was the strong first half of play by the defense, the emergence of Jaire Alexander as a future all-pro corner, the continued dominance of Kenny Clark, the strong play of Blake Martinez, and the reemergence of Clay Matthews.  These are all extremely positive signs as the Packers move into the second half of their season and push towards a playoff run.  However, the way the Packers were defeated leaves a sour taste and a cloud of doubt as to whether they can secure a victory when it matters most.  

Snatching a loss away from the jaws of victory is why I was drawn to the comparison between the Packers and the Bad News Bears.  We are left with exhibit after exhibit of bad calls, epic collapses, dropped onside kicks, fumbled kickoffs, and blown coverages that cost the Packers a win and we are comparison witness that same look of disbelief on the face of Aaron Rodgers as his chances for a win go up in smoke. (As captioned in this article’s picture)

Let's be honest, how did we really think yesterdays game was going to end?  For whatever reason, the feeling of my heart beginning to palpitate and that all to familiar feeling of impending doom hit me right as Ty Montgomery decided to bring the kick out of the end zone.  It's like the last several seasons have given me a built in radar of when the Packers are about to incur an epic collapse, and sure enough my radar was right on the money yesterday afternoon.

What's sad is that I'm actually numb to losses like the one yesterday.  In fact, I've come to expect them.  I actually told a friend of mine at the gym this weekend that ”The Packers will play their best game of the season, Aaron Rodgers will give the Packers a lead late in the fourth quarter, and the Packers will invent a way to squander it”.  Losses like these really force you to ponder if the Packers will ever break the trend of losing games like these. When is enough, finally enough because this act is getting old?  

Year after year these types of losses pile up and you start to come to the realization that the Packers have wasted golden opportunities to win multiple Super Bowls during the McCarthy era. Selfishly as a fan, you want Aaron Rodgers to finish his career with 3 or 4 Superbowls so that you can dismiss any argument that Tom Brady is the greatest of all time.  

Week after week, the legend of Aaron Rodgers continues to grow, and yet, the Packers can never seem to get out of their own way.  They cannot find a remedy for the bewitching play calling blunders, boneheaded penalties, poor fundamentals, and hapless missteps that have continually cost them throughout the years.  Instead, we are all left to hope that some day Aaron Rodgers can overcome all of the Packers shortcomings by himself to win the franchise another Super Bowl. Until that time comes we are all left here to wait and commiserate together.

After yesterday's inexcusable lack of communication from coaching staff to player which ultimately lead to a Packer loss, I am left with to imagine Mike McCarthy doing his best Walter Matthau impersonation during his post-game speech to the team.  ”Remember guys, we have a game next week against the Patriots, what does that mean, Bad News for the Patriots, that's what it means”. 

Packer Nation, I need you to do me a favor, if you see or know of a fellow Packer fan who is angry, disgruntled and is looking at things from this glass half empty perspective, give them a pat on the back and an open ear so they can vent their frustrations.  You now understand their level of frustration and the direction of their anger and it is your job to impart them with some positive vibes to hold onto for Sunday's matchup against the Patriots.  

Until then, go Pack!