By Zuri Berry, Globe Staff

FOXBOROUGH -- It's Week 9 of the NFL season and the New England Patriots are playing the New York Giants for the first time since Super Bowl XLII after the 2007 season, a climatic ending to a memorable season that was stained with the Patriots' 17-14 loss.

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The New York Giants come into the game off a 20-17 win against the Miami Dolphins in Week 8 while the Patriots are coming off a 25-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

There are a ton of connections to Massachusetts on the Giants side. Giants rookie LB Mark Herzlich attended Boston College. As did LB Mathias Kiwanuka and G Chris Snee. LB Zak DeOssie is from North Andover (Phillips Academy) and LB Jonathan Goff is from Peabody (St. John's Prep). Patriots coach Bill Belichick spent 12 seasons on the Giants' coaching staff. Giants special teams coach Larry Izzo was a special teams captain for the Patriots from 2001-2008.

Kickoff: 4:15 p.m.

Season records: Patriots 5-2; Giants 5-2

TV/Radio info: WFXT-TV FOX Channel 25 (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver); 98.5 FM The Sports Hub (Gil Santos, Gino Cappelletti, Scott Zolak) and nationally on Sports USA Radio Network (Larry Kahn, Ross Tucker, Troy West).

Projected starting lineups*
(Based on pregame material distributed to media, last week's starting lineup and the injury report.)

Patriots offense: WR Wes Welker, LT Matt Light, LG Logan Mankins, C Dan Connolly, RG Brian Waters, RT Nate Solder, TE Rob Gronkowski, WR Deion Branch, QB Tom Brady, RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, TE Aaron Hernandez.

Giants offense: WR Mario Manningham, LT Will Beatty, LG David Diehl, C David Baas, RG Chris Snee, RT, Kareem McKenzie, TE Jake Ballard, WR Devin Thomas, QB Eli Manning, FB Henry Hynoski, RB Brandon Jacobs.

Patriots defense: LE Shaun Ellis, NT Vince Wilfork, DT Kyle Love, RE Andre Carter, OLB Rob Ninkovich, ILB Brandon Spikes, OLB Jerod Mayo, LCB Devin McCourty, RCB Kyle Arrington, S James Ihedigbo, S Patrick Chung.

Giants defense: LE Justin Tuck, DT Linval Joseph, DT Chris Canty, RE Osi Umenyiora, SLB Mathias Kiwanuka, MLB Greg Jones, WLB Michael Boley, LCB Corey Webster, RCB Aaron Ross, SS Kenny Phillips, FS Atrel Rolle.

Out/Inactive

Patriots: LB Dane Fletcher (thumb), QB Ryan Mallett, WR Taylor Price (hamstring), RB Kevin Faulk (knee), OL Donald Thomas, DE Shaun Ellis (rib), LB Jermaine Cunningham.

Giants: RB Ashmad Bradshaw (foot), WR Hakeem Nicks (hamstring), C David Baas (knee), T Stacy Andrews (back), CB Prince Amukamara, FB Henry Hynoski, T James Brewer.

Patriots Tweet of the day

This week's Tweet comes courtesy of @ochocinco (Chad Ochocinco).