Patriots (10-1) at Texans (7-4)

TIME AND TV: Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

OPENING LINE: Patriots by 4

RECORD VS. SPREAD: Patriots 7-4, Texans 5-6

SERIES RECORD: Patriots lead 10-1

LAST MEETING: Patriots beat Texans 27-20, Sept. 9, 2018 LAST WEEK: Patriots beat Cowboys 13-9; Texans beat Colts 20-17

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES: New England can clinch playoff berth with win, plus loss or tie by Pittsburgh or Oakland. Can also clinch berth with tie and combination of losses by Oakland and Pittsburgh, Oakland and Indianapolis or Pittsburgh and Indianapolis . ... Victory would extend Patriots’ NFL record to 10 straight seasons with at least 11 wins . ... Patriots coach Bill Belichick can earn his 15th win against former assistant coach. His record against former assistants turned head coaches is 14-9; Belichick is 4-0 in regular season and 5-0 overall against Texans . ... Patriots allowing NFL-low 10.6 points per game and lead league with 20 interceptions and 29 total takeaways . ... Patriots have allowed 117 points through 11 games. Since NFL moved to 16-game schedule, only seven teams have allowed fewer than 200 points in season . ... New England defense has held teams to 25 for 132 (18.9%) on third downs . ... Patriots have blocked three punts in 2019, tied for franchise record (1986) . ... Houston’s only win over Patriots came in 34-27 victory on Jan. 3, 2010 . ... QB Deshaun Watson has 1,033 yards passing with 10 TDs and one INT in past three at home. He has 18 TDs and three INTs in seven career prime-time games. .

[ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO] Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has his work cut out for him this week against the Patriots defense.