The National Football League, locked in a dispute with cable operators over the placement and availablity of its NFL Network, agreed to simulcast Saturday night's Patriots-Giants game on both CBS and NBC. That will make this the first triple simulcast in league history, and the first since both CBS and NBC televised the first Super Bowl in January of 1967 between the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs.

'We have taken this extraordinary step because it is in the best interest of our fans," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "We appreciate CBS and NBC delivering the NFL Network telecast on Saturday night to the broad audience that deserves to see this potentially historic game."

The NFL Network feed will be used on both free TV networks, meaning announcers, Bryant Gumbel and Cris Collinsworth will be heard on all three stations.

PRACTICE REPORT

The Patriots, despite the short week, did not hold an official practice in pads, but rather an indoor walkthrough on Wednesday; thus they did not issue a practice/injury report. The Giants did, however, and four players -- rooking running back Ahmad Bradshaw (ankle), cornerback Kevin Dockery (hip flexor), wide receiver Sinorice Moss (back) and defensive tackle Manny Wright (ankle) did not practice.

Wide receiver Plaxico Burress (ankle) was limited while running back Brandon Jacobs (ankle) practiced fully.

--- TOM KING