ALLEN PARK, Mich. (Dec. 8, 2005) -- It appears Jeff Garcia will be back under center when the Detroit Lions play at Green Bay.
Though he would not confirm Garcia as the starter, interim coach Dick Jauron said he expects the 35-year-old veteran to recover from a lackluster performance in last weekend's 21-16 loss to Minnesota.
"I think he'll play significantly better," Jauron said. "He's had a pretty good week.
"Practice is important to us. That's all you've really got to go on as a coach."
Garcia threw for only 126 yards during a 17 for 35 day that ended with an interception on the Lions' final possession. He was loudly booed by Detroit fans.
Garcia did not speak to the media.
While the Packers are the only NFC North team the Lions have beaten this season, history and the weather could work against them. Detroit has lost 14 straight games, including one playoff appearance, in Wisconsin and hasn't swept the Packers since 1991.
When the teams take the field, they can expect highs in the teens and possible snow showers, conditions much like those the Lions saw during a mid-December loss at Green Bay last season.
"That's as cold and nasty a game I can remember," punter Nick Harris said.
Detroit hasn't played a game outdoors since Oct. 30, so Harris and kicker Jason Hanson spent about 25 minutes on the outdoor practice field to get acclimated to the presumed conditions.
"The ball doesn't spring off your foot when it's cold," Hanson said. "You want to get used to that before you get out there."
