The Packers have been dominant at Lambeau Field this season, and are trying to finish undefeated in home games for the fifth time in franchise history. Credit: Mark Hoffman

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Green Bay — When the Green Bay Packers park their cars in the players' lot and enter Lambeau Field, they walk past a huge replica of the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Every time they walk into the cafeteria, they pass four Lombardi Trophies, all lined up in a row.

Only 53 of the 1,696 NFL players, not including practice squad players, can call this place home, and there are remnants of its history everywhere.

"It kind of is a reminder, that's what we're here for, to continue the legacy," rookie tight end Richard Rodgers said.

And this season, the Packers have renewed their efforts to remain unbeatable here.

If the Packers can achieve one more victory at Lambeau Field on Sunday — against the Detroit Lions — they will complete the regular season with a perfect 8-0 record at home.

That's only happened five times in the 57-year history of Lambeau Field. After going 1-5 in the first year of then-called new City Stadium and Milwaukee County Stadium in 1957, the Packers have been undefeated in home games in 1962 (4-0 at Lambeau and 3-0 at County Stadium), '96, '97, 2002 and 2011.

What's different this season is the very strong attitude shift back to embracing Lambeau Field, not just for all its history and fan support, but the bitter cold that comes with playoff games here.

It wasn't long ago — 2009 and 2010 — when several Packers were completely fine with taking their talents on the road, because it was always warmer anywhere but here.

But if you listened to Aaron Rodgers' news conferences and radio shows this season, he brings it up regularly. The messaging is clear and consistent: They want to win at Lambeau Field.

But it's one thing to want it. It's quite another to make it happen.

How have the Packers helped themselves feel right at home?

"I've wondered the same thing," punter Tim Masthay said. "Is it just easier to communicate because you don't have as much crowd noise? Is it just the comforts of home, not having the stress of traveling? The familiar surroundings? Home-field advantage has always been a very curious thing to me — because the game is no different."

Built for it

Could it be the team is built for the colder, outdoor part of the season? The Packers look the part, starting with running back Eddie Lacy, offensive linemen T.J. Lang and Josh Sitton, and with big pass catchers like Jordy Nelson and Andrew Quarless. They can all withstand the harsh conditions. And you can't forget about the big hands of Aaron Rodgers for handling the stone that is the football in cold weather.

The team is loaded with tough guys, from fullback John Kuhn, to Masthay, to Randall Cobb.

"Half of our games are going to be in cold weather," Nelson said. "You have to have guys that handle that. Playing on our field is different. The speed is different.

"If you bring a track-fast guy in here, they're not going to do as well as someone who might not be a track-fast guy....It's not necessarily a fast track out there. So certain guys will be able to play on it better."

Fans

The Packers also count on a little assistance from the shivering, loyal and layered fans to fill the stadium even with the recent expansion to accommodate 80,978 people. Lambeau Field doesn't have the noise of Seattle's CentruryLink Field or the old Metrodome in Minneapolis, but it's regarded with Kansas City as a top, loud outdoor facility.

"The fans — they do their job," defensive lineman Mike Daniels said.

The Packers even sent out a memo to fans earlier this week with a "Get Loud" campaign, indicating there will be guidance for them at the Lions game.

"Standing up and getting loud during appropriate times, such as while the Packers are on defense, can make Lambeau Field an even more electric and exciting game day atmosphere," it said on the release. "During the game, messages on the TundraVision, new music, signs and game giveaways will help to let fans know when it is most crucial to get loud and stand up."

The field

Masthay said that for the Packers-Falcons game on Dec. 8, the field held up well.

"It hasn't been quite as brutal with the temperatures as last year," Masthay said.

Longtime fields manager Allen Johnson is responsible for keeping the combination grass and DD GrassMaster synthetic blend turf intact and playable. Johnson wasn't available for comment, but the players say the field is in good shape, considering that grass isn't supposed to grow in subfreezing temperatures.

"It hasn't been bad," Richard Rodgers said. "It gets slippery out there at times, but for the most part it's fine."

Aaron Rodgers

The quarterback does his part at Lambeau Field, too. He's thrown 396 passes and 34 consecutive touchdown passes at home without an interception. Those are NFL records.

His quarterback rating also averages 132.6 points at home; 36 more than on the road (95.9) this season.

Fast starts

Masthay came up with another explanation for the Packers' success at home.

"Other than the Jets game, we've gotten off to a fast and strong start," Masthay said. "And, once that happens, and this crowd gets behind us, I've got to think it is really hard for an opposing team to swing the momentum. It is palpable — the momentum, the surge of energy that comes from playing at home and in front of the crowd and getting off to a fast start."

It won't be easy against Detroit's punishing defense. But in the last six home games, the Packers have outscored their opponents, 86-7, in the first quarter and, 175-23, in the first half. The Packers also have scored 288 points at home this season to lead the NFL.

A routine

And finally, home is just familiar. It's knowing the route to take to Lambeau Field, the traffic and the weather. No issues — like there always is with travel.

"There is a comfort factor of being at home," Nelson said. "Being used to the surroundings. Being in that rhythm. Going on the road, it's a different locker room, you get prepped differently because you don't have the same stuff as you do here, as much as you try to.

"There's a reason why they call it home-field advantage. You would think it's a normal game, once you get there and start warming up and playing, you'd think it would be the same. But for whatever reason, it's not."

Now, if the Packers can manage to turn away Detroit one more time — the Lions haven't won in Green Bay since 1991 — the focus then turns to the playoffs.

For a long time, teams didn't even think about coming to Green Bay to win in the postseason. They'd have better luck at the local casinos.

And then Michael Vick and the Atlanta Falcons ran all over the mystique on Jan. 4, 2003. The Packers have only won three of their last eight playoff games at Lambeau Field.

No matter. Green Bay wants to play at home. That's been the message from the leaders, especially Aaron Rodgers.

"A home playoff game is the most important thing, that's what we play for every year," Rodgers said. "Especially the way we've been playing at home.

"We're enjoying the advantage with the crowd noise and the field surface and we're starting really fast. Mike (McCarthy) has taken the ball a few times, that's kind of led to some fast starts, scoring early and created some turnovers at home.

"We've been taking care of the football really well at home. When you put all of those things together, you're going to win a lot of games."

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POSTSEASON SLIPUPS

The Packers have won just three of their last eight playoff games at Lambeau Field:

2013: 49ers (L)

2012: Vikings (W)

2011: Giants (L)

2007: Seahawks (W); Giants (L)

2004: Vikings (L)

2003: Seahawks (W)

2002: Falcons (L)