The New England Patriots (10-1) will look to win 11 games in a season for the tenth consecutive year when they take on the Houston Texans (7-4) in this week’s Sunday Night Football matchup in Texas. Here are the Patriots’ three keys to victory.

1. Win game’s marquee player matchup

All eyes will be on the battle between Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore this Sunday.

Unless Gilmore faces off against Saints receiver Michael Thomas in Super Bowl 54 this February, this will be the undisputed best receiver-cornerback matchup of the season.

Gilmore has had his way with several of the league’s marquee receivers this year, which is why he’s one of the favorites to take home the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award.

Will he take Hopkins — six catches, 85 yards combined in last two games versus Gilmore — out of the game as he did the likes of Amari Cooper and Odell Beckham Jr. earlier this year?

2. Pressure/contain Deshaun Watson

Watson — 301 rushing yards (4th among QBs), five touchdowns —  isn’t exactly Lamar Jackson when on the run, but he’s a mobile quarterback capable of extending plays and scrambling for back-breaking third down conversion runs.

The Texans already have trouble protecting Watson (sacked 32 times) with their lackluster offensive line. This should encourage Bill Belichick to include a variety of pressure stunts and blitzes to the gameplan, that would send the likes of Jamie Collins and others after the Texans franchise passer.

Additionally, Kyle Van Noy, John Simon and Chase Winovich should be asked to contain Watson, keeping him in the pocket.

3. Gauge offensive approach along the way

Behind the return of left tackle Isaiah Wynn, Sony Michel and the Patriots found some success on the ground last Sunday versus the Dallas Cowboys.

They’d be wise to attempt to run on the Texans’ 17th-ranked run defense which allows 108 yards per game on the ground.

Although not an overly-porous unit, success can be had there with a good day of blocking a la last winter. The Patriots are capable of that again this season, even with their current unit up front.

But if the Patriots are stymied at the line, then a spread-it-out approach against the NFL’s 25th-ranked pass defense (in terms of yardage) may be the way to go.

Not that they need to be told, but the Patriots offense should be extra-flexible (and versatile) this week.