Why does losing the Super Bowl seem worse than missing the playoffs?

I think it's mainly because it really just sucks to get your hopes up and see them make the big game only to see them lose, whereas missing the playoffs is a common occurrence for most teams. But hey, at least you've witnessed them win the Super Bowl a number of other times. Bears fans had to watch our team lose in the Super Bowl just a few years ago and then watch our arch rivals snatch the Halas Trophy away from us by beating us in the NFC Championship and then going on to win the Super Bowl, adding to their 12 rings. Seeing as I wasn't around to witness the Bears win their lone Super Bowl ring in 1985, losing the Championship game to the Packers this year will continue to sting for a pretty long time... =/. But anyway, the Steelers played a great game against a great team, so don't take it too hard. They are still the team with the most Super Bowl appearances and Championships.