Is Playing at Lambeau Field Still an Advantage for Packers?

The Packers have won 26 of their last 28 games in Green Bay during the regular season, but in the postseason the green and gold have dropped two straight and 4 of their last 6 playoff contests.

 "I know statistically it may not be what it used to be, but to me there's no place better than to play at Lambeau Field," Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy said this week.  "I love everything about it.  We feel it's an advantage."

After tallying eight catches for  120 yards and  two touchdowns against Minnesota last week, Packers WR Greg Jennings made some headlines this week suggesting he's rather play indoors than in the cold outdoor environment of Lambeau Field.  Many of Jennings teammates agree that they don't like the cold weather, but many players disagree that there is not a home-field advantage involved in playing at home as opposed to the road.

"It's a huge deal," guard Josh Sitton said.  "There's been a couple games this year where I think the noise has affected us on the road.  That first game in Seattle, probably in the Metrodome a little bit.  It screws with your communication.  Being able to hear the snap count, it's obviously an  advantage for us."

"You can hear everything," fellow guard T.J. Lang said of the advantage of playing at home.  "You can really use your snap count to your advantage trying to draw them offsides, and also make sure everyone is on the same page."

For others, the answer is even easier.

"The biggest advantage I think playing at Lambeau is the fans," says RB Ryan Grant.  "I think the fans are great and this crowd will be rocking."

The Packers won't be the only ones with something to prove Saturday night.  The Vikings haven't won an outdoor game all year.

"We definitely have not played as well as we can play in an outdoor environment," Vikings Head Coach Leslie Frazier said this week.  " We get another chance at it this weekend.  We've got to play better, we know the importance of giveaways and takeaways with the indoors and outdoors."

"Obviously they play there all the time under the elements," Vikings LB Chad Greenway said of the cold weather in Green Bay.  "They are going to be a little bit more ready for it than us, but that doesn't mean we can't go in there and play our type of football."

As Mike McCarthy said this week, once the game starts it all comes down to fundamentals.  But that doesn't mean the Packers don't also want to restore some of that Lambeau Field mystique that's been missing in recent years.