You don't need DirecTV to have NFL Network you will just have to pay for it seprately on a different provider.The reason is becasue ESPN bought the rights to the game and are airing it on NFL Network so that people have to buy Direct TV. I know its stupid, they are just doing it for the money, however I will get the game today, so i will tell you who did good and who did bad.
Thats really bogus, so now most of the country will miss seeing the game, not very smart marketing on the part of the NFL or whoever is responsible for this.
Just like those NFL games later this season that only a handful of people saw.
When this was planned they probably were expecting the NFL Network to be carried on more cable carriers, they have really dropped the ball on this one.