Next game: Sunday, December 23 at Chicago
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GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- The Green Bay Packers opened the doors to the Hutson Center during practice on Thursday, letting in some of the elements to help prepare for Sunday's game in Chicago.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy isn't a huge fan of practicing outside; he thinks it can take the wind out of an otherwise-spirited session, and prefers the playing surface inside the Packers' warehouse-like indoor practice facility.

"You always have a quality practice in the Hutson Center," McCarthy said.

Still, McCarthy wants to make sure the team is ready for a stretch of at least three games that are expected to be played in chilly conditions.

The Packers play at Chicago on Sunday, then face Detroit at Lambeau Field in their regular-season finale. Then they'll have at least one, and possibly two, playoff games at home in January.

As the playoffs approach, McCarthy might start taking the Packers outside for the "team" portion of practice, where the offense runs plays against the defense.

But McCarthy will likely continue to keep them inside for the first portion of practice, where players rehearse plays and work on individual skills.

"You get more done inside," McCarthy said. "We have taken the team outside for the team drills, and that's something I would consider. I would always do the preliminary practice inside, the jog-through, the teaching segments. If we were to go outside, I'd stay in the same format that I used in the past, doing the team drills outside."

One exception to McCarthy's preference for practicing indoors was Packers rookie kicker Mason Crosby, who was sent over to Lambeau Field after practice on Thursday to kick outdoors.

SPECIAL SEASON?: The Green Bay Packers have improved greatly on offense and defense this year. But the biggest leap in performance might have been made by special teams, where return and coverage units are greatly improved.

"We're clearly much more productive, there's no question about that," McCarthy said. "I think it's more of a factor of our younger players are a year better, everybody knows the scheme."

McCarthy credited special teams coordinator Mike Stock, assistant special teams coach Shawn Slocum and the players who put in extra time during the offseason for the improvement.

"That's where it really showed up," McCarthy said. "Instead of having one or two players you feel that are top-notch core players, I'd say that we have over half a dozen. (I'm) just really pleased with the development with that group as a whole."

MUST-WIN?: The Packers still have a shot at earning home-field advantage throughout the playoffs in the final two games of the season, but McCarthy isn't calling Sunday's game at Chicago a "must-win."

"This is an important game because it's the Packers versus the Bears, but it's clearly the most important game -- because it's the next game," McCarthy said. "But yes, we're fighting for home field advantage, so that's an extra emphasis."

The Packers and Dallas Cowboys lead the NFC with 12-2 records, and the Cowboys hold the tiebreaker because of their victory over the Packers last month. The Packers are assured of a first-round bye and at least one playoff game at home.

If both teams win their final two games, the Cowboys would host a potential NFC Championship game against the Packers. But if the Cowboys stumble in road games against Carolina or Washington and the Packers win out, the Packers would have home-field advantage.

NOTES: Linebacker Brady Poppinga did not practice on Thursday because of an illness. ... CB Jarrett Bush (calf), G Junius Coston (ankle), CB Al Harris (heel), RT Mark Tauscher (ankle) and LB Tracy White (ankle) fully participated in practice on Thursday after being limited on Wednesday. ... LT Chad Clifton (shoulder), TE Bubba Franks (knee), DT Ryan Pickett (groin), WR Koren Robinson (knee), QB Aaron Rodgers (hamstring), S Aaron Rouse (shoulder) and CB Charles Woodson, CB (toe) were limited in practice on Thursday. ... McCarthy said Pickett's status hasn't changed, and it was not clear whether he would play on Sunday. "We'll be smart with him throughout the week, and we'll make a decision at the end of the week if he'll play," McCarthy said.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)