The Miami Dolphins from 1972, as everyone knows, had a stake in last night's Patriot-Giants struggle at the Meadowlands. The media after the Patriots' historic 38-35 win over the New York Giants were all provided with several comments from members of that 1972 team:

BOB GRIESE: "I want to congratulate the Patriots on going undefeated during the regular season. I know tom Brady well because he played at Michigan with my son, Brian. I've followed his career ever since and have the greatest respoect for him as a player....I hope he continues to play at such a high level in the playoffs, and if he does it will be very difficult to beat them the rest of the way."

MANNY FERNANDEZ: Congratulatons to the Patriots for winning all of their regular season games. if they finish without a loss, it's almost going to be a relief to me. That way, the media will start to call them the first eight or nine games each year whenever a team starts undefeated instead of calling us. That will give us a break."

BOB KUECHENBERG: "They've done a heck of a job thus far. But now the exhibition season is over and the real season begins....If they can pull it off, they will have earned it. But my heart is dead set against it. That '72 team is uniquely immortal in American sports and I don't want us to lose that special place. We will forever be immortal, and if they win every game in front of them, then they will join us among those ranks."

QB EARL MORRALL: "I'd like to congratulate the New England Patriots. They've had a great run and a great season in winning all of their games. I'm sure if they look at it, it's a difficult thing to do...Now you've got to see if they can finish it and go the distance -- the playoffs, the championship, the Super Bowl. You've got those to go to end up perfect, and we'll be the first ones to congratulate them if they do it."

--- TOM KING 

This is probably the toughest game to predict, because the only thing on the line is history for the New England Patriots, a chance to go undefeated. The Giants can talk all they want about wanting knock the Patriots off their perch, but more important is the overall health of their team going into a playoff game at Tampa Bay next week. That's why the feeling here is the Patriots jump out to a two-touchdown lead and the second half is without much scoring. It's the Meadowlands on a December night, so you'd have to think field goals will be hard to come by. The Patriots are the better team, and perhaps some of the Giants' jabbering this week will serve as extra motivation.

RECORD: 15-0

PREDICTION: Patriots 21, Giants 7

Although neither the Patriots nor Giants practiced on Friday (that we know of), both teams issued injury reports with the traditional groupings leading up to game time.

For the Patriots, don't expect to see tight end Kyle Brady (foot) or running back/special teamer Kyle Eckel (stomach). Both are listed as doubtful.

Listed as questionable are: offensive tackle Nick Kaczur (foot), offensive guard Stephen Neal (shoulder), defensive back Wille Andrews (elbow), tight end Ben Watson (ankle) and offensive guard Billy Yates (foot). QB Tom Brady (shoulder) and safety Rodney Harrison (thigh) are probable.

The whole issue now, with Kaczur joining Neal among the wounded, is the overall health of the offensive line against a team that rushes the passer very effectively without the help of blitzes.  That filters into the tight ends, where lineman Wesley Britt had been filling in. Britt no doubt will be pressed into duty on the line on Saturday night. The Patriots would hate to have to play Watson and risk him aggravating an injury, as he could rest for two more weeks with the team having a much- needed first round bye.

For the Giants, cornerback Kevin Dockery and wideout Sinorice Moss (back) are doubtful, while rookie running back Ahmad Bradshaw (calf) and defensive tackle Anthony Wright (ankle) are questionable.

Listed as probable are key starters wideout Plaxico Burress (ankle) and running back Brandon Jacobs (ankle). How long both will play has to be an issue with the Giants locked into their playoff fate (No. 5 seed, at Tampa next week).

-- TOM KING  

Three Patriots did not practice on Thursday -- tight end Kyle Brady (ankle), running back Kyle Eckel (stomach-ribs) and starting right tackle Nick Kaczur (foot).

Limited in practice were tight end Ben Watson (ankle), safety Rodney Harrison (thigh), offensive guard Stephen Neal (shoulder), guard Billy Yates (foot), defensive back Willie Andrews (elbow) and, of course QB Tom Brady (shoulder).

For the Giants, it's interesting that again rookie running back Ahmad Bradshaw (calf) did not practice while veteran back Brandon Jacobs (ankle) practiced fully. Cornerback Kevin Dockery (hip) and receier Sinorice Moss (back) did not practice, while receiver Plaxico Burress (ankle) was limited, as was defensive tackle Manny Wright (ankle). For Burress, limited participation is seen as a surprising upgrade,since he's barely practiced all year.

-- TOM KING

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

The good news for Patriots fans today is that Troy Brown is active for the first time this season. The bad news? Neither starting tight end, Kyle Brady (foot) and Ben Watson (ankle) are on the inactive list, along with starting guard Stephen Neal. Also inactive is linebacker Chad Brown, OG Billy Yates, newly signed (off the practice squad) defensive back Ray Ventrone, and second-year wideout Chad Jackson. Matt Gutierrez is the emergency third QB.

For the Dolphins, Jason Taylor, who hadn't practiced all week, will apparently play. their inactives included safety Tuff Harris, running back Patrick Cobbs, DT Antonio Bryant, tackles Julius Wilson and Anthony Alabi, defensive end Rob ninkovich and DT Paul Soliai...

As part of the pre-game festivities, Red Sox owner John Henry, slugger David Ortiz and pitcher Curt Schilling were on the sidelines showing off the World Series Trophy, the the applause of the fans who have been slowly filing into Gillette.

 --- TOM KING 

Yes, the Patriots could be without their top two tight ends again today -- Kyle Brady (foot) didn't practice all week and the Gillette Stadium turf should be slick with the expected rain. But Dolphin defenders Jason Taylor (foot) and Vonnie Holiday (ankle) are hobbling -- Taylor didn't practice all week. Miami may be inspired, but they are 1-13 and this game should not be close. Look for the Patriots to run the football again to help the play-action and take pressure off QB Tom Brady.

RECORD: 14-0

PREDICTION: Patriots 31, Dolphins 3

Notably on the inactive list today for the Patriots is tight end Ben Watson (ankle), as well as safety James Sanders and starting offensive guard Stephen Neal. Of course, Sanders' replacement, Eugene Wilson, returned an interception 5 yards for the game's first TD. Also inactive: Fan favorite Troy Brown, guard Billy Yates, wideout Chad Jackson and safety Rashad Baker. Matt Gutierrez is the emergency third QB.

Inactive for the Jets: wideout Chris Davis, OL Jacob Bender, tackle Adrian Jones, tight end Jason Pociask, linebacker Marques Murrell, DE Eric Hicks, and former Pats rookie defensive lineman Kareem Brown. Marques Tuiasosopo is the emergency third QB, although the Jets used both Chad Pennington and Brad Smith at QB when Kellen Clemens suffered a rib injury after being hit by Richard Seymour on the Wilson INT.

--- TOM KING

The Patriots, despite stormy weather, will beat the Jets and beat them handidly on Sunday for this reason: They are a far superior football team. Sure, the "Spygate" motivation may be there, but the Jets have no one who can match up on a dry, wet, or frozen day defensively with Tom Brady & Co. The only concern is the lack of depth the Patriots have defensively by losing players like linebacker Rosevelt Colvin and defensive lineman Mike Wright for the year. But Kellen Clemens vs. Tom Brady? Oh please.

RECORD: 13-0.

PREDICTION: Patriots 41, Jets 10.

The Patriots ended their practice week with four starters listed as questionable for Sunday's game and another one missing practice. Questionable are offensive guard Stephen Neal (shoulder), safety James Sanders (knee), linebacker Mike Vrabel (thigh) and tight end Ben Waatson (ankle). Neal, you may remember, was inactive last weekend and all four were limited in practice.

 Not practicing on Friday was linebacker Adalius Thomas as a "team decision." Thomas, however, was all smiles during a halftime interview Thursday night on the NFL Network. Listed as OUT for Sunday is reserve offensive lineman Billy Yates (foot). QB Tom Brady is on the report as Probable (yup, shoulder), and he took full part in practice.

The Jets list six players as questionable, including their two best receivers, Laveranues Coles (ankle) and James Cotchery (finger). The others: tight end Chris Baker (back), tight end James Dearth (foot), wideout Justin McCareins (thigh) and defensive lineman Dewayne Robertson (knee). All were limited in practice.

Listed as Probable and fully practicing were starting QB Kellen Clemens (thigh), tight end Joe Kowalewski (shoulder) and wideout Brad Smith (back).

-- TOM KING

Here are today's inactives for the New England Patriots, headed by offensive guard Stephen Neal, apparently due to a bad shoulder which has had him on and off the field all season long: Neal, veteran wideout Troy Brown, veteran linebacker and former Steeler Chad Brown, safety Rashad Baker, cornerback Eddie Jackson, offensive tackle Wesley Britt, defensive lineman Le Kevin Smith, with Matt Gutierrez as the third QB.

The Steelers list is headed by injured safety Troy Polamalu (sprained knee). Also: wideout Willie Reid, running back Gary Rusell, linebacker LaMarr Woodley, center Marvin Philip, offensive lineman Darnell Stapleton, and offensive tackle Trai Essex. Brian St. Pierre will be the emergency third QB.

--- TOM KING

The Steelers, many say, have the best chance of anyone at knocking off the Patriots --- perhaps the last chance. They're probably right, but I can't see this team's streak ending at home against a team that has lost on the road to the Jets and Arizona. If the Patriots can somehow rattle Ben Roethlisberger the way they did in the AFC championship game nearly three years ago, and protect Tom Brady, then they should win this one. Not easily, but win.

RECORD: 12-0.

PREDICTION: 24-17, Patriots.

It looks like you can forget about seeing Pittsburgh Steeler safety Troy Polamalu's long locks whip around in the Gillette Stadium swirling winds on Sunday. He's listed as doubtful with a sprained knee. Yes, that's a break for the Patriots offense. Meanwhile, New England's only players listed, besides, as always, QB Tom Brady, are safety Rashad Baker (ankle, did not practice) and offensive lineman Stephen Neal (shoulder). Neal was limited in practice, and both are listed as questionable.

The remainder of the Steelers' injury list looks like this: Questionable are linebacker Andre Frazier (groin, did not practice) and linebacker LaMarr Woodley (hamstring, limited practice). Probable are running back Najeh Davenport (foot) and linebacker James Harrison. Harrison did not practice due to personal reasons.

--- TOM KING

The Patriots were back in action on the practice field today, and had four players, including QB Tom Brady (obligatory right shoulder) limited n practice. The other three were safety Rashad Baker (ankle), offensive guard Stephen Neal (shoulder), and defensive tackle Ty Warren (thigh). Warren is, obviously, the newest and most notable addition to recent lists.

As for the Steelers, it's interesting to see safety Troy Polamalu did not practice today due to a sore knee. Running back Najeh Davenport (foot), limited on Wednesday, practiced fully today. Those were the only Pittsburgh listings.

--- TOM KING 

Tonight's game with Baltimore should not be as much of a struggle as a few are making it out to be. The 4-7 Ravens have no offense, while the Patriots go into this as healthy as ever (albeit minus Rosevelt Colvin, done for the year, for the first time) with 20 players on a team that have scored touchdowns, both offensively and defensively. That's 2-0. And, Kyle Boller vs. Tom Brady? No contest, even though defensively the Ravens can be tough. Bring on the Steelers.

PREDICTION: Patriots 35, Ravens 10