The leaves are falling, the temperature is dropping, but the football is heating up.

It’s November, and what better place is there for a crisp, autumn Monday-night football game than Green Bay’s legendary Lambeau Field? This week, the Packers (3-5) host the divisional rival – and division leading – Minnesota Vikings (7-1) in hopes of getting back on track and making a run for the playoffs.

IS MOSS THE NEW "PRIME TIME"?: The key to Monday-night’s game could be the performance of Vikings wide receiver RANDY MOSS, who has played a key role in each Packers-Vikings contest since he entered the NFL in 1998. In three Vikings wins, Moss has been outstanding. In the lone Packers’ victory, Moss was effectively stifled.

In his four career games against the Packers, Moss has 20 catches for 487 yards and six touchdowns. In two Monday-night games against Green Bay, he has caught 10 passes for 321 yards and four touchdowns. Moss has played in five career Monday-night games and has totaled 23 catches for 526 yards and seven touchdowns.

His first game against the Packers -- and his first Monday-night contest -- was at Lambeau Field on October 5, 1998. The Packers had won 25 consecutive home games and were chasing the all-time record of 27 set by the 1971-74 Miami Dolphins. Then along came Moss. He caught five passes for 190 yards and had two touchdowns of 52 and 44 yards to lead the Vikings to a 37-24 victory.

Later that year at the Metrodome, the Vikings won again 28-14 on the strength of Moss’ eight catches for 153 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown.

Then came Moss’ only sub-par performance against the Packers, on September 26, 1999 at Lambeau. Green Bay held Moss to two catches for 13 yards, although he did have a 10-yard touchdown reception, and won 23-20.

In last season’s Monday-night contest on December 20 against Green Bay at the Metrodome, Moss caught five passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns, including a 57-yarder. The Vikings won 24-20.

One could argue that the game rests on Moss’ shoulders (and in his hands).

SHERMAN & SHERMAN: A year ago, RAY SHERMAN was the offensive coordinator for the Vikings. This year, he is the wide receivers coach of the Packers. He was replaced in Minnesota by SHERMAN LEWIS, who last season was the offensive coordinator of Green Bay.

Sherman is using his past coaching experience and his knowledge of the Vikings’ offense to help the Packers prepare for the explosive Minnesota offense.

"Basically, I can talk about some of the things I was accustomed to when I was there," says Sherman. "I am sure they may change somewhat, but they have had a lot of success this year, so I don't see them changing much. I think the main thing is we just have to do our job."

Packers cornerback Antuan Edwards thinks having Sherman on his side will be a big plus Monday night. "He's talking to us and giving us keys on how to play these guys. That's a big thing to have a coach like that who coached those guys. That's going to be a big plus for us."

Lewis didn’t talk strategy this week as much as the strange feeling he’ll have when entering Lambeau Field.

"It is unusual," he says. "When I moved from San Francisco to Green Bay (in 1992), we didn't have to play the 49ers for four years. This is different. It's going to be awfully strange going back to that stadium."

And his memories of Green Bay?