Kerry goes on the offensive

He wants finale viewed by all

FOXBOROUGH - The Patriots might take things one game at a time, but Senator John Kerry is looking ahead to the season finale.

With the Patriots' game against the Giants Dec. 29 scheduled to be broadcast on the NFL Network, Kerry expressed concern yesterday that not all fans will be able to view the game.

Kerry sent a letter to commissioner Roger Goodell and Kyle McSlarrow, president and CEO of the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, regarding the situation. He asked them to break the deadlock in negotiations between the NFL and some major cable companies over how games on the NFL Network are broadcast.

"In light of the unique circumstances surrounding the 2007 New England Patriots, I urge you to reach an agreement as soon as possible, so that football fans across the country are not prevented from viewing what could be a historic sporting event," Kerry wrote in the letter.

The Patriots-Giants game will also be broadcast in Boston on Channel 5, but that doesn't cover all of New England.

Kerry's letter drew an immediate response from the NFL.

"Commissioner Goodell welcomes the senator's comments because we, too, want broad cable distribution for NFL Network," spokesman Greg Aiello said in a statement.

Zipping along

After playing three prime-time games in a row, coach Bill Belichick had described the Patriots as a tired team. Yesterday, he indicated some of the zip was back.

"At the end of a week like that and playing on the road and playing a tough game, sure, it takes something out of you," Belichick said, noting that his initial remarks, on WEEI, came in the hours following Monday night's win over the Ravens. "But we bounced back [Wednesday] and we'll be at it and we'll be ready to go Sunday."

The Patriots did not have their standard Wednesday practice this week, returning to the field for the first time yesterday. The team was not in full pads for the workout, which was held inside the Dana-Farber Field House.

Quarterback Tom Brady touched on returning to Gillette Stadium early Tuesday morning, and how that can affect the team.

"It's a long season and I think there's moments when you feel a little drained and moments when you feel really invigorated; when you give everything you've got and it's Tuesday at 4 in the morning, you are drained," he said. "But you find a way over the next day and a half to prepare yourself and come in here bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to get to work."

Knowing their limits

Right guard Stephen Neal continues to be bothered by a shoulder injury, as he was limited in practice. Neal played the first three quarters Monday before he was replaced by Russ Hochstein. As it turned out, Hochstein inadvertently had one of the big plays of the game, a false start on fourth and 1 that extended the winning drive when it appeared the Ravens had stopped them short.

Neal has missed four games this season. If he isn't healthy enough to play Sunday, it would likely mean Hochstein steps into the starting spot, with Billy Yates moving onto the 45-man game-day roster.

Elsewhere on the injury front, reserve safety Rashad Baker (ankle) and defensive end Ty Warren (thigh) were also limited in the workout.

Roughing it

Receiver Wes Welker acknowledged the obvious: The Ravens were extremely physical in attempting to take him out of the game. Welker finished with three catches for 18 yards. He had catches on the first two plays of the game, and added a reception in the second quarter, but was blanked the rest of the way.

Welker indicated that when opponents play that way against him, it is imperative to "be physical off the line and make sure you win there."

Tackle eligible

Most kickers are on the wrong end of the tale of the tape when forced to make a tackle on a kickoff return, but that wasn't the case Monday night for Stephen Gostkowski. After the Patriots tied the score at 17 in the third quarter, Gostkowski raced across the field to tackle Yamon Figurs on a 38-yard return. Gostkowski is 6 feet 1 inch, 210 pounds, Figurs 5-11, 175.

Still, Gostkowski was just looking to hang on.

"It's not like I'm going to lay anybody out," he said. "I just have to try to wrap somebody up and just ride them to the ground. These guys are the best athletes in the world and I'm just trying to run them down. Luckily, I was in the right place. We don't like giving up returns in the first place, but giving up a touchdown would be even worse. I'm just glad when the time comes that if I have to do it, I'm glad that I can."

Polamalu sits out

Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, who has missed the last two games with a sprained knee, was held out of yesterday's practice. Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin did not reveal whether Polamalu, who had returned to practice Wednesday, had experienced a setback . . . Brady pointed out that Baltimore blitzed only 17 times in 43 dropbacks . . . Running backs Kevin Faulk and Laurence Maroney were among those who received game balls for exemplary efforts against the Ravens . . . Receiver Randy Moss was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for November . . . Third-string quarterback Matt Gutierrez, backup inside linebacker Eric Alexander, and reserve offensive tackle Wesley Britt were the team's practice players of the week.

Christopher L. Gasper of the Globe staff contributed to this report.