Packers fans feeling Super Bowl blues

GREEN BAY - The excitement and the pure exhilaration from last year seem like a distant memory now. There's no victory party and no Super Bowl pandemonium this year for Packers fans.

"This year, it's just another Sunday," said Tricia Knaus of Oconto Falls.

Last year at this time, the streets were filled with Packers fans rallying. But now, everything is quiet in downtown Green Bay.

Psychologists say it's not just the lack of Packers being in the Super Bowl that is getting people down.

"There were very high hopes and they came crashing down,” said Dr. Frank Cummings, a psychologist with Fox Valley Psychology Associates. “It's probably a triple edged sword in that you really cannot go outside to do fun things like sledding, snowmobiling, ice fishing, because it’s been so warm. But, it's still too cold to do other outdoor activities."

So what can a fan do? Folks shopping at Festival Foods fought off their funk as they planned half-hearted Super Bowl parties this Friday.

“Everybody's just kind of in the dumps because they're not in it this year," said Joshua Jacques from Green Bay.

"I can't even tell you who's playing in it," said Knaus.

Pizza places like The Glass Nickel say the Packers early post-season exit is a downer for people's moods, and it's put a damper on business.

“At the end of the day, it's still the Super Bowl. People are still going to get together and watch it, so we're still hoping for good sales but not quite as good as last year's numbers," said co-owner Don Calhoun, who says sales increase 50 to 75 percent on Packer game days.

And while psychologists say it's good for football fans to try to enjoy the Super Bowl, some fans say they're refusing to tune in.

"It's not easy to watch a football game without the Packers in it," said Jerome Anderson of Green Bay.

Psychologists say big losses like the Packers had a few weeks ago against the Giants can trigger depression in people who are prone to it. Cummings says if you’ve noticed yourself feeling down for more than two weeks, you might want to consider seeking help.