NFL counts on Patriots to up ratings

GOAL: The Patriots’ Tom Brady could break the record for single-season touchdown passes tonight against the Giants and lead New England to the NFL's first 16-0 regular season.
(Elise Amendola / AP)
December 23, 2007





The Patriots are seeking to become only the second team in the modern era to go undefeated in the regular season (the 1972 Miami Dolphins were the other). Until Wednesday, the plan was to show the potentially historic game exclusively on the NFL Network. But the NFL bowed to intense political pressure, notably from 2004 presidential hopeful Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.), earlier this week and agreed to simulcast the game on CBS and NBC, which are already league broadcast partners.