Packers and Rodgers have had rough year

But first-year quarterback Aaron Rodgers has not been a failure for Green Bay.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — As the Green Bay Packers’ season skids to a disappointing end, Aaron Rodgers still doesn’t have a signature come-from-behind victory.

But that hardly makes his first season as a starting quarterback a failure. The Packers have plenty of problems that will keep them out of the playoffs this year, but Rodgers’ play generally hasn’t been one of them.

Rodgers’ season began under trying circumstances, as he bore the misguided wrath of fans after an ugly falling-out between the franchise’s front office and one of the team’s most popular players, Brett Favre. Then he hurt his shoulder and played through severe pain. Now, his ability to handle pressure is being questioned.

Heading into Sunday’s season finale against Detroit, Rodgers says the experience has taught him something it’s easy for athletes to talk about but difficult to do: Stop worrying about things you can’t control.

“It’s definitely a learned trait,” Rodgers said. “It’s not something that you can wake up and do. Because people say some hurtful things, some personal things about yourself, your family. You know, that stuff really gets to you. But it’s so out of your control that you could either let yourself go crazy about it and be upset, or just say, ‘You know what? I’m not going to be affected by that.’ ”

Statistically, Rodgers ranks among the league’s top 10 passers in touchdowns (25), yards (3,730), passer rating (91.4) and plays of 25-plus yards (28). He’s ahead of Favre in each category.

Rodgers’ lack of last-minute comebacks aside, he has shown an ability to handle pressure. His passer rating on third down is 104.1, third-best in the league. And the Packers have scored 15 fourth-quarter touchdowns this season, tying them for second in the league.

But the Packers have lost five straight, and the script for their last four has been maddeningly similar: Rodgers and the offense drive to take the lead in the fourth quarter, only to watch the special teams and defense give it away. Then Rodgers can’t muster another late drive to retake the lead.

“It’s been ups and downs, but I’ve definitely learned a lot,” Rodgers said. “It’s been a lot of good experience I think I’m going to take with me throughout my career. It’s disappointing not being able to win the close ones.”

And while Rodgers is as disappointed as anyone with the Packers’ record, he will achieve one of his biggest personal goals for the season: starting all 16 games.

“A lot of people [doubted] my toughness or said I couldn’t finish the season,” Rodgers said. “And this Sunday will be my 16th consecutive start and it’s definitely something I was hoping I could do this season.”