Both teams are looking to see how they measure up against the league's best.
As far as New England's Super Bowl hopes go, the last six weeks have served to alleviate doubts and put things back on track. But the Patriots haven't seen a measuring stick quite like this.
No one will have an easy job Monday night. The Patriots' offensive line will have to deal with the Houston Texans' daunting pass rush. The defensive line will have to deal with a zone-blocking scheme that has been nearly impenetrable this season. The linebackers will have to deal with everything. And the defensive backs will go up against a passing attack that can inflict considerable damage.
In other words, it's a big game. Many members of the typically tight-lipped Patriots let it be known throughout the week there will be something extra behind this matchup, and that feeling will be even greater in the visitor's locker room at Gillette Stadium.
"You know how big it is?" Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson told the Houston Chronicle. "The biggest game in the history of this franchise. As long as we keep winning, every game is going to get bigger and bigger.
"When you've been somewhere you've never been, everything gets bigger."
That comment took some New England players by surprise. Considering the Texans made the playoffs last season, and at 11-1 have essentially assured themselves of one of the AFC's top two playoff seeds this year, the Patriots feel it's a bit of leap to go that far.
But they do agree the stakes are a little bit higher this week.
"I didn't know they said that. I know that they were in the playoffs last year. I would have thought that was a pretty big game," Patriots guard Logan Mankins said. "It's 'Monday Night Football,' I'm sure everyone is going to be juiced up – two of the top teams in the AFC, so it's going to be a good game."
From New England's perspective, to feel good moving forward, the defense needs to prove it can stop one of the league's top offenses (Houston ranks fifth in total offense). More specifically, newly acquired cornerback Aqib Talib will be looking to show he has the ability to shut down a top receiver, which will be his assignment matched up with Johnson.
There have been issues in Talib's coverage and technique the last few weeks – which he openly admits is something he's attempting to rectify – and Johnson has the ability to expose any of those shortcomings if they show Monday night.
One of the top receivers in the league, Johnson ranks fifth with 1,114 yards and 17 receptions of 20 or more yards. In his last three games, he has racked up 517 yards.
"He's definitely one of the most talented guys in the NFL," Talib said. "He really can do it all: from short routes, deeper routes, running with the ball in his hands, going up and getting the ball downfield. He can do it all."
So can the Texans. And by Tuesday morning, both of these AFC powers should have a better understanding of who they really are.