Live blog for the Monday Night Football battle between the Pats and Texans.
FINAL SCORE: TEXANS 14, PATRIOTS 42: The Patriots have held on for a convincing 42-14 home-field victory. Read our complete game recap story, here.
FOURTH QUARTER: TEXANS 7, PATRIOTS 42 (8:00): Stevan Ridley has taken it up the middle for a touchdown. 42-7, Patriots.
FOURTH QUARTER: TEXANS 7, PATRIOTS 35 (14:15): Just as Danny Woodhead looks to have set the Patriots up inside the 10-yard-line, boom, the football comes flying out of his arms, courtesy of JJ Watt. However, wide receiver Brandon Lloyd was able to fall on the ball in the endzone for a touchdown.
THIRD QUARTER: TEXANS 7, PATRIOTS 28 (6:12): The shutout bid is over. The Houston Texans finally were able to establish an offensive rhythm and drive down the field with a drive ending in a short Arian Foster touchdown run.
THIRD QUARTER: TEXANS 0, PATRIOTS 28 (9:49): Donte' Stallworth just arrived back in New England this week, but appears to have not missed a beat. He and quarterback Tom Brady connected on a 63-yard touchdown strike to put the Patriots ahead, 28-0.
HALFTIME SCORE: TEXANS 0, PATRIOTS 21: What began as a blowout in the favor of the home-standing Patriots has actually gotten a lot more tightly contested over the last few minutes of the first half. The Patriots began the game with an offensive flurry led by three Tom Brady touchdown passes. However, the Texans' defense has held New England to three consecutive three-and-outs to end the half.
SECOND QUARTER: TEXANS 0, PATRIOTS 21 (11:01): The Patriots have begun to open this one up. Taking advantage of a questionable defensive pass interference call, the New England offense would go in for another touchdown on a Tom Brady to Aaron Hernandez connection.
FIRST QUARTER: TEXANS 0, PATRIOTS 14 (2:49): On a beautifully executed play-action pass, Tom Brady found an open Brandon Lloyd streaking down the middle of the field for a touchdown. 14-0, New England.
FIRST QUARTER: TEXANS 0, PATRIOTS 7 (9:27): Aided by a pair of Houston penalties, the Patriots' offense was able to march down the field on their opening possession for a touchdown. Tight end Aaron Hernandez got the score on a 6-yard reception.
PREGAME: Are you ready for some Monday Night Football, New England? In perhaps the biggest NFL game of the season, the top two teams in the AFC -- the Houston Texans and New England Patriots, respectively -- square off in a nationally televised Monday Night Football affair at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA. Can Tom Brady and company make a statement that its' the Pats, not the Texans, who are the creme de la creme of the AFC, or will this be the moment that J.J Watt and his troops prove their legitimacy? Either way, it's gearing up to be an incredible battle. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET and the game will be aired nationwide on ESPN's Monday Night Football.
For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team blog, Pats Pulpit.