USA TODAY Sports Network’s NFL Week 13 game previews, predictions

The USA TODAY Sports Network previews Week 13 in the NFL, with 49ers-Ravens, Patriots-Texans and Vikings-Seahawks leading the slate.

New England Patriots at Houston Texans

Deshaun Watson Tom Brady
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

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

Records: Pats 10-1, Texans 7-4

Line: Pats by 3½

Patriots’ keys: New England must stifle the Texans’ run game with LBs Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower. Patriots QB Tom Brady is a master at controlling the tempo of a game and the Texans should struggle if he gets a lead.

Texans’ keys: Houston has to start fast and execute soundly against a team that allows little margin for error. QB Deshaun Watson must protect the football and use his legs if the coverage is blanketing his receivers.

Who wins? Patriots coach Bill Belichick is 14-10 against former assistants, and Texans coach Bill O’Brien is 0-5 against his old boss. Patriots 30, Texans 24

— Mark Lane

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