THE SCOOP
Frigid cold temperatures at Lambeau Field don’t always translate into a Green Bay victory.
According to Packers.com, Green Bay is 3-4 in home games when the temperature at kickoff is 6 degrees or lower. Sunday’s forecast is staggeringly cold — a high of minus-3 and a low of minus-19.
On Dec. 31, 1967, Green Bay beat Dallas in the coldest NFL game on record, the “Ice Bowl,” when the temperature dipped to minus-13 and the wind chill reached minus-48. The Packers also beat the Los Angeles Raiders in 1993 when the mercury showed zero degrees and Carolina in the 1996 NFC Championship game at 3 degrees. The Packers lost at home to the New York Giants in the 2007 NFC Championship game (minus-1), to Detroit in 1990 (2 degrees), to Houston in 2008 (3), and Chicago in 1976 (6).
COMING BACK?
For the first time since the middle of November, the Seattle Seahawks saw No. 11 on their practice field.
Whether Percy Harvin gets back on the field for Seattle in time for its divisional playoff game Jan. 11 will be closely watched over the next week. But at least one important teammate thinks Harvin’s time to return has come.
“He’s ready to go I think. But we’ll see. You’ve got to listen to the trainers and coach (Pete) Carroll and see how he’s feeling,” quarterback Russell Wilson said after Thursday’s practice.
GRUDGE MATCH
Cornerback Eric Wright grew up a 49ers fan in San Francisco’s rough Hunters Point neighborhood. Here’s what else was rough for him: watching the Green Bay Packers eliminate his beloved 49ers three consecutive years in the playoffs.
Wright, who could see an increased role in the postseason as Carlos Rogers battles a hamstring injury, will carry a grudge from those 1995-97 seasons when he accompanies the 49ers to play in Green Bay.
“My disdain for that (Packers) organization is very strong,” Wright said, “because it really tainted my childhood to an extent.”
Wright recalled crying as a kid when the 49ers’ bid for a sixth Super Bowl title repeatedly ended against Green Bay. Over 15 years later, the 49ers still are in quest of that sixth trophy, which, of course, is named after Packers icon Vince Lombardi.
TICKET CHATTER
The Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers announced that their weekend playoff games were sellouts, helping them avoid local TV blackouts, thanks to corporate interests. Retailer Meijer bought 1,200 Colts-Chiefs tickets and will distribute them to the Indiana National Guard, Wish For Our Heroes and others. The Packers also sold a number of tickets to corporate groups, including a Green Bay-based bank.
BY THE NUMBERS
7-1 The Chiefs' road record against the spread this season, best in the NFL
HE SAID IT
“He makes mistakes like the rest of us, but he makes a lot less mistakes than the rest of us. That is what makes him so great.” — Saints receiver Lance Moore on quarterback Drew Brees
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