Catching up to Rice on record

FOXBOROUGH - Jerry Rice isn't surprised that Randy Moss is threatening his record for touchdown receptions in a season. Moss has 21, one shy of Rice's mark set in the 12-game, strike-shortened season of 1987.

"Randy just needed good players around him, and that's why he's having such a great season," said Rice, an analyst for Sirius NFL Radio.

The 49ers great said he wishes Moss and the Patriots, who are trying to become the first team to complete a regular season 16-0, well against the Giants tonight.

Earlier this month, comments made by Rice to the Associated Press were interpreted by some as him being miffed that a record by Moss would be given the same weight as his own.

"The only thing that bothers me a little bit is that I did it during the strike year," Rice told the AP. "It was 12 games for me. If he had done it in 12 games, I wouldn't have a problem with it at all. But I'm still going to congratulate him and do all of that.

"But I'm surprised the league is taking it upon themselves to give him 16 games to do it."

However, Rice, the NFL's all-time leader in receptions (1,549), touchdown receptions (197), and receiving yards (22,895), said he never intended to slight Moss, who had 17 TD receptions through 12 games. He said Moss is having an "awesome season."

"I was joking around, but it is a little weird that I had 12 games to do it and Randy has 16. But still, if he breaks the record I'll be the first to congratulate him and give him the props that are his just due," said Rice.

"The league decided to honor 16 games. I just want people to know the only thing that was surprising to me is that they never talk about that I did it in 12 games. They say Randy is getting ready to break the record, but they don't say Jerry did it in 12 games. I believe records are meant to be broken. I leave it to the people out there to decide whether there is an asterisk or whatever. All I know is Randy worked his butt off and did great things, and if the league says they're going to honor 16 games as the record, then I'll do the same thing. There is no animosity on my part."

Rice said it appears Tom Brady has been pressing a bit to get Moss the record.

"The last couple of games, yes, you can see that," said Rice. "But you got Randy Moss, and he has a lot of confidence in him that if he throws it up, Randy is going to make a play on it. So far he has, but when you have three defenders, you're not supposed to do that. I think he was forcing it a bit, but if I know Tom, he'll make those corrections, come back, and play strong."

On the outs

The Patriots downgraded five players to out for tonight's game, including right tackle Nick Kaczur (foot), who had started every game this season. Also ruled out were right guard Stephen Neal (shoulder), who will miss his fourth straight game, tight end Kyle Brady, who will miss his second straight with an ankle injury, fullback Kyle Eckel (ribs), and cornerback Willie Andrews (elbow). Eckel's absence leaves the Patriots with just three running backs - Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk, and Heath Evans.

Possibly to help compensate for the loss of Andrews, a kickoff returner, the Patriots promoted cornerback Antwain Spann from the practice squad. Spann, 24, played in eight games for the Patriots last year and notched six special teams tackles. He has not played in a game this season. Spann was assigned No. 28.

Tight end Benjamin Watson (left ankle) and reserve offensive lineman Billy Yates (foot) are questionable. For the Giants, running back Ahmad Bradshaw, who had 151 yards rushing in last week's win in Buffalo, is questionable with a calf injury.

Not a big deal

Giants quarterback Eli Manning said it wouldn't bother him if Brady breaks the NFL record for touchdown passes in a season (49), set by Peyton Manning, Eli's older brother, with the Colts in 2004. Brady has 48 touchdown passes.

"No, it doesn't matter to me, really," said Eli. "To do what he's done this season, he's had an incredible season so far, and they make plays, between he and his tandem of receivers. I don't think in the long run, for me, it makes a huge difference either way."

Stations resolve dispute

Channel 5 (WCVB) and WMUR in Manchester, N.H., resolved their dispute with the NFL Network over tonight's broadcast of the Patriots-Giants game. The stations, which are owned by the same company, and New York station WWOR had won the bidding for the right to simulcast NFL Network games involving local teams. Outside of the Boston and New York areas, the game was originally scheduled to be broadcast only on the NFL Network, which is available in fewer than 40 percent of the nation's homes with televisions. On Wednesday, the NFL announced the matchup would also be aired on CBS and NBC. "WCVB-TV/DT and sister station WMUR-TV and the NFL Network have reached a mutually satisfactory resolution of the issues resulting in WCVB and WMUR's loss of exclusive local broadcast rights for [tonight's] Patriots-Giants game," WCVB said in a statement late last night . . . Some Giants have called out their fans for trying to cash in on New England's chance to go 16-0 by selling their tickets to Patriots fans, with running back Brandon Jacobs saying such actions may be why the Giants play better on the road (7-1) than at home (3-4). On eBay, one seller offering three tickets (Section 133, Row 19) and a parking pass was asking for $10,000 as of 7:45 last night . . . Rodney Harrison on tackling Jacobs, who is listed at 6 feet 4 inches, 264 pounds: "He's 270 pounds, so that's like a Ferrari hitting a Mack truck." . . . With a catch tonight, Wes Welker will break a tie with Troy Brown for the Patriots' season reception record (101). Brown set the mark in 2001 and Welker tied it last week . . . Brady needs 106 passing yards to surpass Drew Bledsoe's franchise record for a season, 4,555, set in 1994 . . . Moss needs 99 receiving yards to break Stanley Morgan's franchise record for a season of 1,491, set in 1986.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.