It's cold. Little wisps of snow are flying by the window. The Christmas tree is up in the living room. (Only one meltdown this year - our two year old doesn't enjoy the fact that you're supposed to put the ornaments ON the tree...)

For all the fun September football is, it's nothing compared to December football, and it's ten times more enjoyable when your team is playing meaningful games, which the Packers most assuredly are. It all starts today with what I expect to be the Ryan Grant show. Much like 2003, when a Favre injury forced Sherman to lean heavily on his running game, look for McCarthy to lean heavily on Grant today. (Of course, Sherman had better backs and a much better offensive line, but for today this back and this line will do.) Bob McGinn makes great points today (sorry, sub required) regarding Grants long-term prospects with the team, but for this year, and especially this game, he needs to play the Dorsey Levens role.

All season we have listened to the national commentators ask "What will the Packers do when the weather turns cold? They don't have a running game to lean on." Today, they reveal the running game that will take them to the playoffs.