The New England Patriots are clear front-runners in the AFC East, and their 10-1 record is rivaled by only one other team in the league, but that doesn't mean they're taking this week's opponent, the Houston Texans, lightly.

Quarterback Tom Brady told Westwood One earlier this week that the Texans will be the Patriots' toughest challenge to date, and while you could argue they already endured that at the start of the month, when the Baltimore Ravens handed them their first and only loss, there's no question this week's "Sunday Night Football" could come down to the wire.

The Patriots defense is every bit as good as its 10-1 record, it seems. New England ranks second in the NFL in total "D" through 12 weeks, behind only the historic San Francisco 49ers, who have allowed the fewest passing yards per game in nearly four decades. Behind shutdown cornerback Stephon Gilmore and the rest of a Super Bowl-caliber lineup, they've given up fewer than 15 points in all but one of their games this season, allowing just seven or fewer points four different times.

Offensively, though, they don't even compare to the Texans, who rank seventh in the NFL in total yards per game thanks in part to another solid showing from quarterback Deshaun Watson and are fresh off an AFC South upset of the Indianapolis Colts. Houston has had its fair share of problems in 2019, namely struggling to stop the pass with a battered and bruised secondary. But at home, against a Patriots offense that Brady himself has declared his chief source of frustration, Bill O'Brien should at least have a chance to upset his old boss in Bill Belichick.

A win for the Patriots on Sunday night, when the two sides will go head to head, would simply add to New England's lead in the East. A win for the Texans, however, would arguably be even more important for Houston in a tight divisional race.

Key matchups

Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins vs. Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore

This might be the matchup of the weekend. Hopkins is one of the NFL's best route-runners and possession receivers, while Gilmore is in the midst of maybe his best season as a pro. Watson and the Texans are, unsurprisingly, at their best when Hopkins is getting fed, so you know Belichick and Co. are going to do everything in their power -- even if it means giving Gilmore extra help -- to take him out of the game. This will be one to watch from start to finish.

There are a lot of big games ahead in Week 13, but which teams will cover the spread? Pete Prisco and R.J. White join Will Brinson on the Pick Six Podcast to break it all down. Listen below and be sure to subscribe here for daily NFL goodness fired into your eardrums.

Texans CB Bradley Roby vs. Patriots WR Julian Edelman

Edelman has been battling nagging injuries for a while, but if anyone's going to get Brady into a rhythm, it's him. Roby is dealing with some injury concerns of his own, but if he's active, he'll likely be tasked with sliding into the slot to keep track of No. 11. One of the Texans' biggest issues of 2019 has been stopping the pass, so unless they want to be the team to help Brady and Co. finally put forth a satisfying performance, they'll need Roby -- and any other CB fighting through injury -- to step up.

Texans LT Laremy Tunsil vs. Patriots' pass rush

New England gets after the QB a number of different ways, but Tunsil is in charge of Watson's blind side, so he's got the biggest responsibility by default. Watson, of course, is more than capable of maneuvering out of harm's way on his own, but we've seen before that pressure can throw him into a big funk, in large part because he's got no help in the trenches. Are Houston's O-line woes actually back? It's up to Tunsil to ensure they aren't.

How to watch

Date: Sunday, Dec. 1 | Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
Location: NRG Stadium (Houston, Texas)
TV: NBC | Stream: fuboTV (Try for free) 
Follow: CBS Sports App

Prediction

The Patriots aren't going to get a cakewalk in Houston, where Deshaun Watson alone should keep things interesting. But is anyone actually prepared to bet on Bill O'Brien over Bill Belichick? New England's defense is strong enough to keep the score relatively low, and Houston's secondary is still banged up enough for Tom Brady to finally build some momentum. It'll probably stay close for much of the evening, but this one should be the Patriots' to lose.

Pick: Patriots 27, Texans 22