The Jaguars have chosen to ignore the Packers' gaudy cold-weather record at Lambeau Field.
"Weather won't affect the outcome of this game," Jaguars quarterback Byron Leftwich said. "This game is too important for something like that to happen."
The Green Bay Packers are 31-0 in regular-season games with Brett Favre at quarterback in Lambeau Field when the temperature is below 34 degrees. Well, the Jaguars will be in Lambeau Sunday, Favre will be at quarterback for the Packers and the temperature is expected to be below 34 degrees at kickoff.
Hmmm, doesn't sound good for the Florida boys, does it?
"It means he's had a lot of success in the elements," Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said of Favre. "When you compete against any team that's rich in history, you're not playing against that record, you're playing against the team they bring in on that Sunday."
The team the Packers are bringing into this Sunday's game isn't to be confused with their powerhouse teams of the mid-'90s. Then, Favre was in the prime of his career and he was surrounded by a cast of Pro-Bowlers.
These Packers are trying to milk one more run at the Super Bowl before Favre calls it quits on one of the greatest careers in NFL history. Sunday will mark the Packers' final regular-season home game of a season some believe could be Favre's last. This could be Favre's final game at Lambeau Field, unless the Packers host a playoff game.
"He continues to amaze everybody at how long he's been able to sustain excellence," Del Rio said of Favre, who is in his 14th NFL season.
The Packers will clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Jaguars. Green Bay currently has a one-game lead over Minnesota in the NFC North title race.
"He's the type of guy who would play for free. He was meant and born to play the game," Jaguars cornerback Dewayne Washington said of Favre.
The Jaguars' quarterback has that same passion for the game. Leftwich had said he hopes it's 10 degrees in Green Bay on Sunday, and when Leftwich was told it looks like he's going to get his wish, he laughed.
"Every time you dreamed of playing in Lambeau, it wasn't warm. You go to play there, you know it's going to be cold. You just always wanted to play there," Leftwich said.
Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-20s at kickoff (4:15 p.m. EST), then fall throughout the next three hours. Snow, wind and wind chill are also expected.
Cold weather is the Packers' Lambeau buddy. What is a game in Green Bay without frigid conditions? That question will not be answered on Sunday.
"We're not going to change what we do. We're just going to go up there and get it done. It's something we dreamed of as kids. This is the fun time of the year," wide receiver Jimmy Smith said.
The Jaguars' playoff hopes will be on the line in Green Bay. A win will catapult the Jaguars into prime contention for one of the AFC's two wild-card spots. A loss would make them an unlikely contender.
This is it for the Jaguars. They will play the biggest game of their season this Sunday and they will play it in one of the most storied stadiums in football history. The scene couldn't be more perfect.
"I think it's one of the special places in the league," Del Rio said of Lambeau Field.
"The whole city; there's a mystique," said Washington, who played in Green Bay once a year when he was with the Vikings. "When you land, you sense football. You know and understand you've got to put your best foot forward to win in that stadium."
In other news, Del Rio said tight end George Wrighster is likely to undergo back surgery and will be placed on injured reserve. Wrighster hasn't played since Oct. 3.
The Jaguars are otherwise in good health for Sunday's game. Cornerback Juran Bolden (quadricep) is listed as "doubtful" and Smith (ankle) and defensive tackle Marcus Stroud (knee) are "probable."