On a stroll through the locker room Sunday after their latest defeat, a 27-24 drubbing against the underdog Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field, the sights and sounds were all too familiar.
Somber tones, grim faces and blank expressions from players searching for answers.
The explanations were well-worn and redundant: Better execution is needed. More emphasis must be placed on the fundamentals. Things have to be cleaned up.
Where have we heard this before?
Defensive end Aaron Kampman said the most disturbing part of the Packers three-game losing streak is just the fact were emphasizing things over and over, week in and week out.
And the results arent changing.
During his postgame press conference, Packers coach Mike McCarthy stressed the need to correct his teams mistakes. He was politely reminded that he said the same thing last week after losing to Tampa Bay, and was asked why those errors are being repeated.
If I knew the answer to (that) question, as far as what makes them, I wouldnt be standing here at this podium, he said. Id be a rich man because Id be selling it to every coach in professional sports.
There are no easy answers to what ails the Packers, at least on the surface.
Whats beating us are things we can correct, center Scott Wells said. Now, the problem is, weve known that for the past three weeks and we havent corrected it.
Its not a matter of trying harder, or studying more game film, or preparing better or ramping up the sense of urgency. The Packers have done those things, and all they have to show for those efforts is as many losses in the first month of 2008 as they had during the entire 2007 season.
Maybe the answer is simple. Maybe the Packers simply arent that good. Losing at home to the Falcons and rookie quarterback Matt Ryan provides strong evidence to support that theory.
Cornerback Charles Woodson doesnt agree.
Its not like we dont have good players on the field, he said. We have what we need to win games.
If thats the case, those players arent getting the job done.
The defense cant stop the run or pressure opposing quarterbacks. The offense, despite an impressive 408-yard output against the Falcons, coughed up a turnover when it mattered most in the fourth quarter. The special teams gave up a critical 54-yard kickoff return late in the game and botched an onside kick attempt.
Good teams find ways to win. Bad teams find ways to lose.
I think they came in and stole one, Woodson said of the Falcons. Weve got to beat the teams that we are better than. I feel that we were better than that team.
The scoreboard indicates otherwise, and that is the final authority in the NFL.