Very quietly, the Patriots (10-2) and Texans (6-6) will provide a playoff preview Sunday night.

Consecutive losses dropped New England of its proverbial perch and out of the top seed in the AFC. The AFC East isn't in any real danger -- mainly because the Jets, Bills and Dolphins are the definition of mediocrity -- but homefield advantage is slipping away.

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The Texans, on the other hand, are trending in the right direction.

Despite not having a QB -- Brian Hoyer doesn't count -- Houston won four consecutive games before finally losing to the Bills on Sunday. It was also the first time the team recorded more than 20 points since Week 7.

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The Texans will need at least that if they hope to beat the defending Super Bowl champions.

A free live stream of the contest between the two can be found here.

Preview

Game Time: 7:30 p.m. CST

Location: NRG Stadium

Weather: N/A (Indoor Stadium)

Odds, per Bovada: Patriots -4

Radio: New England (98.5 CBS); Houston (Sports Radio 610)

TV: NBC

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