If you didn't think the Packers had this kind of loss in them, you must not have been paying attention. Not to a team that can bobble, fumble and befuddle its way to a loss every blue moon.

As inevitable as this letdown felt though, it was still shocking to see Aaron Rodgers throw an un-tipped interception, just as it was to watch Jordy Nelson let a gimme fall right between his fingers in what could have gone for a game-changing 96-yard touchdown.

Could have, anyways.

Instead, Packer fans were treated to the usual helpings of silliness characteristic of bad road losses. Giving up a punt return, getting a field goal blocked, fumbling the ball for a safety - we've seen this movie before (does the name Jeremy Ross ring a bell?)

It's unfair to say Green Bay played "down" to the competition yesterday, because Buffalo is not a bad team, especially not in front of their rabid fans. With the house party rocking the stadium, the Packers certainly seemed backed into a corner, not an ideal spot for a team who better plays the part of predator than prey.

Rodgers doesn't go 17-for-42 with two interceptions in his worse nightmares. The shots of him stewing on the sidelines gave us a rare glimpse at a hero, unmasked. Human. #12 seems to be more sensitive to embarrassment than most players. It's what drives him when he's playing cool and loose, and what paralyzes him when he just can't get into a rhythm.

Lumps taken, the beat will go on towards the playoffs. Wins by Detroit and Seattle did nothing to dampen the blow of Green Bay's misstep in Buffalo. But before leaping off the bridge, consider recent history that suggests there is precedent for overcoming such a loss:

Last year, on the road to the Super Bowl, Seattle lost a week 16 game versus the Arizona Cardinals, 17-10. The post-game recap wasn't pretty for the eventual champions: "the Cardinals (won) thanks to a stingy defense that flustered Russell Wilson into one of his worst days as a pro, delaying any celebration of an NFC West Championship," wrote NFL.com.

The pride of the Green Bay Packers (and their fans) will take a hit over the next few days. Questions will be asked. Fingers will be pointed.

They deserve it.

And they can overcome it.