There was a growing fear this season that the Patriots (who are inching ever so closely to being the most hated team in America) would snag their precious 16-0 record on a channel, the NFL Network, which most of the country wouldn't be able to see.

It's the proverbial tree in the forest: "If a team gets a 16-0 record on a TV network that no one can see, did that team really go undefeated? "

There's no need to ponder the answer anymore because it does look like the heavily-favored Patriots will go undefeated against the Giants, and as long as you own a TV that works, you'll be able to see it.

You don't even need cable, just a TV.

The NFL announced Wednesday that the Patriots-Giants game will be simulcast on NBC and CBS, in addition to the NFL Network on Saturday. According to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, the game's move was "in the best interest of our fans."

Gee Roger, that sure is swell and all ... but who are you really trying to fool here?

It's in the best interest of the NFL, because while the NFL has become America's great love affair, it's a league that doesn't give away anything for free.

That is, it doesn't give handouts unless senators such as Sens. Patrick Leahy and Arlen Specter threaten to reconsider the NFL's antitrust exemption if the game was aired solely on the NFL Network.

Revisiting the NFL's antitrust exemption could put the leagues' deal with DirecTV's Sunday Ticket in jeopardy. Thus, offering a handout truly is in the best interest ... of the NFL.

The NFL Network is available in less than 40 percent of the country, mainly because cable companies refuse to put the network on basic cable packages per the NFL's request. The league would love to be available to a greater audience which would bring the NFL more advertising revenue.

This would be a score for the NFL, but not necessarily the cable companies who rather make the network as part of sports programming packages that typically cost viewers an extra $5 to $8 a month. Including it on basic cable packages would cause an increase in all regular subscribers' cable bills, for what are essentially only eight games.

Both parties care more about money and less about the football fan, so it's hard to feel sorry for either of them, but the NFL's recent cave-in could be a signal that the war is almost over, a war the NFL is losing.