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Patriots prepare for Texans, toughest foe of year

Published: December 5, 2012 Comment on this article

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The New England Patriots are preparing for their toughest opponent in a season in which seven of their nine wins have come against teams with losing records.

photo - New England Patriots wide receiver Donte Stallworth catches a ball before a walk through at the team's NFL football training facility in Foxborough, Mass., Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. Stallworth was released from the team during preseason and was pickup again this week after wide receiver Julian Edelman was placed on injured reserve. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

New England Patriots wide receiver Donte Stallworth catches a ball before a walk through at the team's NFL football training facility in Foxborough, Mass., Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. Stallworth was released from the team during preseason and was pickup again this week after wide receiver Julian Edelman was placed on injured reserve. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

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They'll face the Houston Texans (11-1) at home on Monday night. The Texans hold the top spot in the AFC with the Patriots (9-3) in second. The top two seeds in each conference get a first-round bye in the playoffs.

The Patriots did manage to rout the Indianapolis Colts 59-24 on Nov. 18. And the Colts are 8-4 with a chance for a wild-card berth. The Patriots also beat the Denver Broncos (9-3) in the fifth game of the year, 31-21.

Now they have a chance for their third victory over a team with a winning record. It won't be easy.

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