(My Sportsbook) - With the NFC North title under their belt, the Green Bay Packers will shift their focus to securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs when they begin their stretch run this Sunday night against the Minnesota Vikings at frigid Lambeau Field.

Green Bay got back into the win column following back-to-losses this past week, as it posted 30-20 victory over Chicago. With the win, the Packers clinched the division title quicker than any team since the advent of the NFL's 16-game regular season schedule in 1978.

"It's certainly one of the goals we set out to achieve this season. It's very significant, but it's certainly not the ultimate goal that we set for ourselves," said Green Bay head coach Mike Sherman. "If we want to achieve that we have to make some improvements on how we played in the first half of this football game."

The Packers can't afford to falter too many times in the final four weeks of the season, though, as they already trail Philadelphia for the top spot due to its unblemished conference record (8-0). Sherman's club must also avoid looking forward to next Sunday's showdown with the San Francisco 49ers as well.

"It's big, it's big to win the division this early in the season. It takes a little stress up off your back, but at the same time, now we're fighting for something else," said TE Bubba Franks. "We're fighting for home-field advantage now. We've just got to take each game one game at a time."

FROZEN TUNDRA

The weather will be exactly like the Packers enjoy it on Sunday when the Vikings come calling, as temperatures in the teens are expected at kickoff. QB Brett Favre has never lost a game (33-0) that began with temperature below 35 degrees.

"Whether you play at noon or 7:30, it's going to be cold," Favre said. "Like I say, you get around 20 or lower, it don't really matter anyway."

Staying warm in the arctic temperatures will be nearly impossible for the squads and Green Bay safety Darren Sharper understands that.

"You get used to your fingertips getting numb and your toes getting numb," Sharper said. "You just have to go out and play with it and keep moving around. The worst thing about it are the commercial breaks, because you're out there in the middle of the field and can't go run to the heater."

Favre will surely look to jump-start the pass offense early in this game after his struggles against the Vikings in their first meeting. The perennial All- Pro threw for 296 yards and two touchdowns in the loss, but was intercepted three times. Favre has made a living out of playing well in December (32-10 record) and that should continue in this game,

WR Donald Driver, who recently received a contract extension, has become Favre's favorite target this year. Driver continued his success last week with four catches for 121 yards and a touchdown. The wideout should have a big day considering the Vikings are last in the NFC and 31st in the league versus the pass (267.9 ypg).

Driver, Terry Glenn and Franks will likely make it a long day for the Vikings' weak secondary. Minnesota can only hope that Favre makes some errant throws and it can take advantage.

COMING UP: The Packers have a huge game against San Francisco in Week 15.