Changing facts that didn't need to be changed

I understand the need for creative license and changing reality to move the story along. But why change facts that don't need to be changed. Ok, so they put the Poly game as the third game of the 2004 season when they actually played in 2001 (during "The Streak"), and I can accept that creative license. Creating fictional characters as amalgams of actual players or just to create a storyline (RB Chris Ryan working toward the TD record and having to deal with his a-hole father, for example) helps the plot or adds drama. But why change facts that don't need to be changed?

They accurately they lost first two games of 2004, but why change the scores and the second team they played? The movie didn't depict those games as close for the drama; in both games they showed a few plays and the final score. Why not show the actual score?