Grant had a season-best day in the Packers' 37-3 annihilation of the visiting Chicago Bears on Sunday. He turned his 25 carries into 145 yards, a gaudy per-rush average of 5.8 yards, and scored a touchdown.

Grant had only one 100-yard rushing day in Green Bay's first nine games, but his production has picked up in recent weeks. He's rushed for at least 75 yards in the last six games.

"I think Ryan and really the whole run game is in tune, and I've really felt that way probably the last three or four weeks," said coach Mike McCarthy, whose team battered the Bears for a season-high 200 rushing yards. "The most important thing I think for Ryan was he got to 25 attempts, and that's where he needs to be."

Grant has carried the ball at least 25 times just three times this season, but all have come in the last five outings.

--Following a script from his first two years as the team's coach, McCarthy will have the Packers on a winter schedule during the practice week for the rest of the season.

The premise of the schedule alterations -- practice and meeting times both are cut back 15 minutes -- after the 10th game of the season is to preserve the players' bodies for the stretch run and to keep them focused on what needs to be accomplished. Green Bay is in a three-way tie for the NFC North lead with the Bears and the Minnesota Vikings, all with 5-5 records.

"You're getting to that point in the season where you have to be conscious of wear and tear," McCarthy said.