Frustration is mounting in Titletown, where the Packers dumped a 24-21 verdict to Houston Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field.

The Packers have lost eight of their last 11 games, with five losses this season by four points or fewer.

Here are some observations from the loss that probably sealed their early vacation:

Winning recipe? Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 19 of 30 passes for 295 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Ryan Grant rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown. The Texans turned the ball over four times. And yet, the Packers still lost.

How, you ask?

Well, they gave up 549 yards. That was the most against Green Bay since Washington racked up 552 in a 48-47 Packers victory on "Monday Night Football" on Oct. 17, 1983.

Had the Texans turned the ball over four times, they might have scored 50 points and surpassed the 600-yard mark.

Defenseless: The easiest thing to do in the wake of a bad game / season in the NFL is to call for a coach to be sacrificed. In our corner of the sports universe, the general belief is that coaches get too much credit and too much blame.

Bob Sanders is in the crosshairs now, because the Packers' defense has been horrible. But, Sanders was also the coordinator last year, when the Packers had better than average success on defense. In the game Sunday, the Packers made some good plays. But, as has often been the case, there were lapses in critical moments. Tramon Williams, Desmond Bishop, Brady Poppinga and others made critical mistakes and it wasn't Sanders' fault.

That said, there is no way Sanders should be back next season. Blame it injuries, bad luck or anything else -- the Packers defense has crossed the bridge from disappointing to embarrassing. Sanders' bosses are starting to feel heat because of it, and that's when coaches are fired.

Turnabout: Earlier this year, Packers safety Nick Collins looked like a lock to play in the Pro Bowl and cornerback Tramon Williams seemed like one of the more promising players on the team. Neither has performed well in recent weeks, however, and that isn't helping Sanders' cause. Kevin Walter's 58-yard touchdown reception 90 seconds into the game -- a play when Williams and Collins tripped over each other -- isn't going to make either man's personal highlight reel.

An unoriginal act: If the Packers miss the playoffs (and how can they not?), they will be the fourth consecutive team to follow a loss in the NFC Championship game with an early vacation the following season. Here is a look:

2005 -- Atlanta lost the NFC title to Philadelphia, then followed that disappointment with seasons of 8-8, 7-9 and 4-12 before bouncing back into the mix this year.

2006 -- Carolina lost the championship game to Seattle. The next two seasons, the Panthers went 8-8 and 7-9 and missed the playoffs.

2007 -- New Orleans lost to Chicago in the championship game, then went 7-9 last year.

2008 -- The Packers lost to New York, 23-20, and, well, you know what's happening now.

Do you believe in miracles? The Packers were not officially eliminated from playoff contention Sunday, but the word "slim" does not begin to describe their post-season hopes.

In order to win the division, the Packers have to sweep their final three games -- at Jacksonville (4-9), at Chicago (7-6) and against Detroit (0-13). They need Minnesota to lose all three of its remaining games -- at Arizona (8-5), vs. Atlanta (8-5) and vs. the Giants (11-2).

In addition to three losses by the Vikings, the Packers need Chicago to lose two of its remaining three games -- vs. New Orleans (7-6), vs. Green Bay (5-8) and at Jacksonville (4-9).

Third degree: The Packers converted one of 10 third-down opportunities. That came on a 22-yard run by Ryan Grant midway through the final quarter.

A soothing spa: Is it just me, or do injured and recently injured players tend to have big games against Green Bay? Jared Allen. Kyle Orton. And now, Matt Schaub, who returned from a knee injury and threw for 414 yards and two touchdowns.

Note to the Packers -- watch out for guys who are supposed to be limping.

All for naught: The Packers' most exciting play of the game didn't count. Will Blackmon's 99-yard kickoff return in the second quarter was wiped out due to a dicey holding penalty on Jason Hunter. Blackmon did a Lambeau Leap before he knew there was a flag on the play.

Run to daylight: The Packers special teams have been under fire for much of the season. It didn't help when Hunter spoiled Blackmon's run, Jarrett Bush drew yet another holding penalty and Texans punter Matt Turk loped 40 yards for a first-down on a fake punt. Maybe special teams coach Mike Stock and Sanders can carpool on their way to Kinko's.

A bright spot: Once he got his mulligan (a 25-yard shank) out of the way, new punter Jeremy Kapinos turned in a solid game. Kapinos, who replaced Derrick Frost, pinned Houston at the 3-yard-line on his last punt.

Not a bright spot: The CBS broadcast duo (Gus Johnson and Steve Tasker) didn't exactly drape itself in glory. The two flubbed some names (Daryn Colledge and Brady Poppinga come to mind) and didn't seem sharp.

Upon further review: You can burn out the batteries in the remote by rewinding the DVR, but you're still going to be pressed to find the holding penalty on Tony Moll. The Packers were driving for a go-ahead score, but eventually were knocked out of field-goal range.

There were some questionable calls in the game, including a couple that went against the Packers. If they had happened in Week 2, they'd be worth screaming about. At this point, though, even the most diehard fan has to admit that the Packers' worst enemy wears green and gold, not black and white.

Memory test: Does anyone remember Vonta Leach making huge gains during his time with the Packers? He made some nice blocks. Any huge gains? I'm coming up blank.

Spread the wealth: Rodgers completed his first eight passes to eight different receivers.

Making amends: Texans tight end Owen Daniels, who played in college at Wisconsin, fumbled near the goal line in the second quarter but then caught a 27-yard pass to set up the winning field goal. Daniels was open because Desmond Bishop blew the coverage.

Pitch and catch: Pass plays don't come much prettier than Aaron Rodgers' 63-yard strike to Greg Jennings, who displayed remarkable athleticism and concentration when he came down with the ball amid double coverage. It was the Packers' longest pass play of the season.

Have some cake: Packers cornerback Al Harris turned 34 on Sunday. Let's hope he had more fun at his party than he did during the game.