For the better part of the last decade, the New England Patriots have dominated and taken control of the AFC. The Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans have evolved into great competition for New England over the last few seasons though, as both franchises have been trending upwards for a few years now.
The Patriots will face these opponents in back-to-back weeks, tackling the Texans in Week 13 and the Chiefs in Week 14. They also have difficult draws against two NFC East division leaders first: the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 11 (this weekend) and the Dallas Cowboys in Week 12.