 The game was originally scheduled to be broadcast on NFL Network only, but Roger Goodell allowed other stations to broadcast it due to the Patriots being 15–0 and needing just one more win to become the first team to go 16–0 in the regular season.There was disagreement surrounding coach Tom Coughlin's decision to play all his starters, some of them playing injured, notably Plaxico Burress who had an ankle injury and missed most of practice during the end of the season and the Giants postseason run.A Giant win would have no effect in the playoffs the following Sunday, as the Giants had earned the #5 seed as a wildcard and Dallas had won the division with the best record in the NFC.