Tom Brady and New England Patriots visit J.J. Watt and Houston Texans on 'Sunday Night Football'

Coverage begins with "Football Night in America" at 7 p.m. on NBC

NBC's "Sunday Night Football" presents a showdown of AFC playoff contenders this week when QB Tom Brady and the first-place New England Patriots (10-2, AFC East) host defensive end J.J. Watt and the tied-for-first-place Houston Texans (6-6, AFC South) at NRG Stadium in Houston, this Sunday, Dec. 13 (8:30 p.m. ET).

The Patriots are looking to clinch a seventh consecutive AFC East title, which would tie the Rams for longest streak in NFL history (1973-79). Despite New England's 35-28 loss to Philadelphia last Sunday, Brady moved into third place on the NFL's all-time TD pass list (423), passing Hall of Famer Dan Marino (420). Brady also leads the league in passing yards this season (3,912).

The Patriots face a tough Houston defense on Sunday, featuring NFL sack leader Watt (13.5). The Texans look to bounce back from a 30-21 loss to Buffalo on Sunday after having won four straight games. Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, who won two Super Bowls with the Patriots from 2004-14, faces his former team for the first time.

The Patriots and Texans meet for the sixth time in the regular season (seventh overall), with the Patriots 4-1 against the Texans with a record of 2-1 in Houston. The two teams last met Dec. 1, 2013, in Houston, with the Patriots claiming a 34-31 victory. While the Patriots can secure a playoff position with a win on Sunday, the Texans improve their playoff chances with a victory.