Sleepless Nights

When I think how awful I felt in the wake of the Packers' epic loss on Sunday evening, I wonder how truly miserable the Packers themselves must feel. I am just a fan, but these are the guys who are investing their time, their energy, and their bodies in this endeavor!

I think of several individuals from the team and coaching staff who are probably lying awake at night. They stare at the ceiling, fearful that if they close their eyes they'll see the game pass before their eyes.

Aaron Rodgers

His first play was an interception and his last play was a fumble. How do you sleep peacefully with that? Plus, in spite of an amazing, heroic comeback from 17- and 21-point deficits, it's the play he didn't make -- the first offensive play in overtime, on which Rodgers overthrew an open Greg Jennings -- that cost us the game.

Nick Barnett

Mark Belling (WISN 1130 AM Milwaukee) is convinced that Barnett is the primary culprit in the defensive failure. As we have noted here before, the Packers have been vulnerable to over-the-middle passes in virtually every loss this season, and Belling claims that Barnett is the one who bears the greatest responsibility for that inadequate coverage.

Dom Capers

His revamped defensive unit was one of the great stories of 2009. They were a complete turnaround from the 2008 squad, and they were ranked (and talked about) among the elite defenses in the league. But they were publicly humiliated in Arizona. It's like we weren't allowed to have 11 guys out there or something. Wherever Warner threw it, there was an open Cardinal. It was truly embarrassing, and Capers has to know that if his defense had just made one clutch stop along the way, the offense could have carried us to victory.

Mike McCarthy

His onside kick call was brilliant. And he must have been setting the right pace on the sideline and in the locker room in order to keep the team from throwing in the towel after it turned so ugly so early. Still, you wonder if he left points on the field at the end of the first half. You wonder if he had the team emotionally ready to play, for the Cardinals seemed so much more energetic from the start. And you have to wonder if he was rope-and-doped by the Cardinals in these consecutive-weeks games.

After a few days, we'll look back and consider all that was excellent and encouraging about this season. For now, though, the bitter taste in the mouth remains.