Bell: Texans next big test ... beat Tom Brady

• Houston Texans are 11-1 and looking to clinch the top seed in the AFC. But first they have to beat the New England Patriots on Monday night in Foxboro

This certainly has been the week for Bill Belichick to break out a few extra props to spice up the New England Patriots practice routine.

With pesky, sky-walking defensive end J.J. Watt leading the Houston Texans into The Razor on Monday night, the trajectory, timing and rhythm of Tom Brady's passes warrant an extra layer of attention.

Watt -- second in the NFL with 16.5 sacks and a front-runner for Defensive Player of the Year honors -- is the first player since the sack became an official statistic in 1982 to have at least 15 sacks and 15 deflected passes in a season.

It's no wonder Belichick talked of using rackets and broomsticks in drills to challenge his quarterback.

"It's like throwing over this wall: it's hard," Brady told news reporters this week. "You've just got to try to find an area."

What an intriguing subplot to the most-anticipated matchup of Week 14. Which unit best inflicts its will? Houston's disruptive defense, or New England's prolific offense?

The answers will be crucial to the bigger picture. Star Texans receiver Andre Johnson has declared this is the biggest game in franchise history.

Johnson realizes there will be at least one bigger game for the Texans in January, but for the moment this is it. Houston, which matches the Atlanta Falcons for the best record in the NFL (11-1), is in range of clinching the AFC South title, a first-round bye and the No. 1 seed for the AFC playoffs.

The Patriots (9-3) wrapped up the AFC East title last weekend. That's no biggie. It's a steppingstone toward larger goals. New England has won four consecutive division crowns, Brady is the first quarterback with 10 division titles. Better playoff seeding can help.

But beyond the nuts and bolts of the playoff order, the Texans can issue a huge statement -- and prove a bit more to themselves -- that they are the team to beat in January.

Maybe that's what Johnson really means by calling it such a huge game.

The Texans already have smacked down two other AFC division leaders, winning at Denver in Week 3 and blowing out Baltimore in Week 7.

If they make it a clean sweep of the division leaders? Huge psyche boost.

And they will pass their toughest test yet this season. As good as Wade Phillips' unit has been in his two seasons as defensive coordinator, there have been warning signs that provide reason for pause.

Sure, the Texans won in Denver. But that was so early in the season, before Peyton Manning found the groove he's been in lately. The last time the Texans faced a high-powered offense, on Thanksgiving, they barely survived the shootout against the Detroit Lions.

And Houston's loss this season came in Week 6, at Reliant Stadium, when Aaron Rodgers shredded the sixth-ranked unit for 338 yards and six touchdown passes in a 42-24 Green Bay Packers runaway.

Now comes the Patriots' top-ranked offense, which is quietly and efficiently on pace to threaten the NFL's single-season scoring record. New England's prowess is measured in the conventional ways. It leads the NFL in yards (426.3 per game), points (35.8), first downs (27.8) and third-down conversion rate (52.6%).

Beneath the numbers, though, Brady will be staring at a secondary that has been forced to mix and match its combinations because of injuries. The good news for the Texans is that starting cornerback Johnathan Joseph is due to return after missing two games with groin and hamstring injuries. Not so good is that nickel back Alan Ball is nursing a foot injury that forced him to miss practice time this week.

Healthy or not, every defense needs its front to relieve pressure on its secondary.

Which brings us back to Watt, who is flanked by the highly active likes of defensive tackle Antonio Smith and outside linebacker Connor Barwin.

As much as Brady will want to know exactly where Watt is at all times, he cannot become so preoccupied with one player -- even an MVP candidate -- that he loses focus on the overall plan, which includes getting the ball into the hands of NFL receiving leader Wes Welker and tight end Aaron Hernandez.

He'll be better off letting his O-linemen keep Watt on watch, a task that will begin with right guard Dan Connolly.

"There's a lot of trust that you have to have in the offensive line, so I don't concern myself so much with worrying about a particular pass rusher on the D-line," Brady said. "For me, it's more coverage-oriented and trying to get the ball to the open guy as fast as I can."

Did somebody mention fast? That's another weapon that Brady brings to combat the Texans defense. No team has run as many plays as New England (883), which translates to 73.6 snaps per game in a scheme that often deploys a no-huddle attack.

As Texans coach Gary Kubiak put it, "They will get their snaps."

Whether the rhythm of the snaps can be disrupted looms as the essential swing factor.

Also in play for Week 14:

Who's hot: Dez Bryant

The Cowboys big-play receiver has been on a tear and heads into Sunday's game at Cincinnati on a career-longest streak of four consecutive games with a touchdown.

In the last five games, Bryant has caught 29 passes for 475 yards, with an NFL-high six TD catches. If you wondered why the Cowboys stuck with Bryant through a series of off-the-field incidents, it has been apparent in recent weeks. And the third-year pro has already established career highs with 71 catches and 978 yards.

Pressure's on: Jay Cutler

After sprinting to a 7-1 start, the Bears have come down to earth with three losses in four games as they head into Sunday's contest at the Metrodome needing a victory to maintain a share of first place in the NFC North. It looks like a classic trap game for Chicago. Green Bay comes next weekend. And the injuries are mounting, including the hamstring strain that could sideline all-pro middle linebacker Brian Urlacher for the rest of the regular season.

This puts more weight on the shoulders of the quarterback, already laboring behind an inconsistent, reshuffled O-line that must contend with a still-formidable Vikings defensive front that is faster on its dome turf. The Bears allowed one sack during last Sunday's loss to the Seattle Seahawks, but that statistic is deceiving. Cutler was under constant duress. The protection needs to be much better this weekend. Or else. Chicago handled Minnesota two weeks ago 28-10 when Cutler returned from a concussion. It will be tougher this time. These divisional games are never easy, and the Vikings are 5-1 at home.

Rookie revue: Russell Wilson

It seems a given that the competition for NFL Rookie of the Year honors is a race between the headliners for a spectacular rookie quarterback crop, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III. Not so fast. The Seahawks quarterback also deserves some consideration. No doubt, Wilson, a third-round pick drafted 75th overall, is the biggest bargain in the bunch. Like the quarterbacks picked 1-2 overall, Wilson is in the thick of the playoff chase, with the Seahawks (7-5) heading into Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals holding the NFC's sixth playoff slot.

The first rookie quarterback since the merger to win his first five home games, Wilson has passed for more TDs (19) than Luck or Griffin, and his 95.2 passer rating ranks seventh in the league. His steady progress may be even more striking. He has gone four games without throwing a pick (with 11 TDs) and has produced a 100-plus passer rating in each game during that span. He was impressive in crunchtime at Chicago last weekend.

Consider his final two drives, which resulted in a go-ahead TD pass late in the fourth quarter and a game-winning TD toss in overtime: Wilson completed his last seven passes, including the two TDs. On scrambles and designed runs, he rushed five times for 47 yards. He coolly converted all three of his third downs in overtime and moved the chains on a fourth down on the crucial drive in the fourth quarter.

Key matchup: Robert Griffin III vs. Ed Reed

After last week's comeback victory against the Giants, the mania-inducing RG3 said he felt a bit cheated that he wouldn't get a chance to face rehabbing Ravens icon Ray Lewis on Sunday. Terrell Suggs, nursing a biceps injury, might not play, either. But the Redskins quarterback will still have to contend with one of the craftiest safeties in the league in Reed, who will undoubtedly be up for the chess-match challenge that comes with facing Washington's read-option scheme. A few weeks ago, this seemed destined to be a Ravens cakewalk.

But with a three-game winning that put them in the thick of the playoff race, the Redskins are relevant again in December. And left to lick their wounds after losing last weekend to 38-year-old Steelers backup quarterback Charlie Batch, Reed and the depleted Ravens D must prove that their legs are fresh enough to handle one of the NFL's most electric new stars. And don't forget the help for Griffin in the form of big-play wideout Pierre Garcon. The Redskins were 1-5 in games without Garcon as he nursed a foot injury. With Garcon, they are 5-1.

Next man up: Cortez Allen

Just when quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is set to return for Sunday's game against San Diego and all-pro safety Troy Polamalu looks to continue progressing after coming back from his long layoff, the Steelers have to adjust to the loss of another key player -- cornerback Ike Taylor, who is expected to miss at least two games because of a hairline fracture in his right ankle. Enter Allen, a second-year pro from The Citadel poised to make his first NFL start. Replacing the team's best pass coverer won't be easy. Allen, who entered the league as a fourth-round pick, shifts from a nickel back slot that will now be manned by Curtis Brown. He can expect plenty of attention from Philip Rivers, who has undoubtedly seen the film of Allen getting beat by Anquan Boldin for two long receptions, including a touchdown, after Taylor went down against the Ravens.

Reality check: Wounded Eagles

Andy Reid is acting like a coach who expects to return next season, despite widespread speculation that he's destined to be fired. Or he's going down swinging in an effort to save his job.

Within the last two weeks, Reid fired defensive line coach Jim Washburn, cut arguably his most accomplished pass rusher in Jason Babin and named Nick Foles as the starting quarterback for the rest of the season -- benching Michael Vick as he tries to rebound from a concussion.

The Eagles are 3-9. If team owner Jeffrey Lurie stays true to the public declaration he made during the preseason, not even running the table will keep the NFL's longest-tenured coach on the job. It's a losing season. At least Babin, who expressed bewilderment that Reid told him that he was released in a phone call rather than a face-to-face meeting, will get a chance to strike back. Babin was claimed off waivers by the Jacksonville Jaguars, who will host the Eagles on Sunday.

My road to Super Bowl XLVII goes through…Cincinnati.

The Bengals (7-5) are riding a four-game winning streak, but three of those victories came against Kansas City, Oakland and San Diego -- who are a combined 9-28. Now come the Cowboys (6-6), similarly with little margin for error while in hot pursuit of a playoff spot. This is a big test and a huge opportunity for a young team seeking to add more momentum for the stretch run. What gives?

The Bengals are tied for the NFL lead with 39 sacks and have allowed 10.5 points per game during the winning streak. Now is not the time to ease up. The defensive front with be challenged to keep Tony Romo contained, given the Dallas quarterback's penchant for making plays out of the pocket. The back end will have its hands full with Dez Bryant, a big-play waiting to happen and finding his groove. Then again, another means of effective defense might be provided by a ball-control Cincinnati offense seeking a fourth consecutive 100-yard rushing game from BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

Did you notice?

In three starts since Colin Kaepernick replaced Alex Smith as the 49ers quarterback,Kaepernick's numbers have steadily decreased. After throwing for 243 yards and posting a 133.1 passer rating in his first NFL start against the Bears, Kaepernick passed for 231 yards with a 90.6 rating at New Orleans. Last weekend, he threw for 208 yards with an 83.9 rating in the loss at St. Louis. Although W's are the ultimate barometer, this can't be the trend that 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh had in mind when he made the big switch and trumpeted the virtues of a quarterback having a hot hand.

Stat's the fact

Lions receiver Calvin Johnson is the first player in NFL history to post four consecutive games with at least 140 receiving yards and has the most receiving yards through 12 games (1,428) since Lance Alworth in 1965. Detroit's season is a washout, but at least Megatron can leave a mark during a Sunday prime-time game at Green Bay.

He's poised to become just the third player in league history (Andre Johnson, Marvin Harrison) to post back-to-back 1,500-yard receiving campaigns.