It isn't easy to be the Patriots

One of the amazing things about the Patriots organization is their sustained success. We've passed 10 years since the first Super Bowl run, a win that kicked off a decade of near dominance. The Patriots have been consistently good, they've regularly gone to Super Bowls. We, as Patriots fans, know all of the accolades.

The most impressive thing though, is how they've been able to sustain that. That's not something that's easy to do. Just ask the Packers.

The Green Bay Packers were viewed as the beast team in the league last year. Aaron Rodgers? The MVP and the largely unquestioned (outside of New England) best quarterback in the NFL.

However, the Packers have struggled this year. They had a high flying offense that rivaled such attacks as the '07 Patriots and vintage Manning Colts, but that offense isn't clicking anymore. What was once the leagues No. 1 offense, has fallen to 21st.

So, what's the reason that the Patriots have been able to have success year in year out? They adapt and they are never satisfied.

Michael Lombardi, NFL.com

The Green Bay Packers had an explosive offense last season, ranking first in points scored and third in total yards. The New England Patriots, meanwhile, finished 2011 third in points and second in yards. This season, the Packers look the same, in terms of their design, but they're not having the same success; the Patriots, on the other hand, changed their approach and have improved. The Packers were clearly expecting to build off of their 2011 campaign, while the Patriots seemed to feel a need to redefine themselves.

The Packers went into the offseason wanting to fix their defense, likely figuring their offense was in good shape -- which was a completely logical conclusion to reach. But Green Bay's offense is far from being in good shape right now. The Packers lack power in their offensive line, they lack a running back who can gain the tough yards, and they lack consistency, in terms of performance and health.

It's easy to get wowed when a team or quarterback has a great season, but what's really impressive is being able to do that consistently.

I don't really doubt that the Packers can turn things around, but they serve as an example that the kind of success the Patriots have is something unique, and very difficult to sustain for so long.

It's something fans of the Patriots take for granted. Maybe they can look at how the Packers are doing right now, and appreciate what we have in Foxborough just a little bit more.