Pats have tough test in Monday Night Football game

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (WHDH) -- No matter how many big games you play in there’s always a little extra juice for one in particular.

“Well, its Monday Night Football, everyone looks forward to Monday Night Football, so it’s a big stage,” said Steve Gregory, Patriots safety.

“As kids we all grew up watching it and it adds a little more excitement to being out there on Monday night,” said Devin McCourty, Patriots defensive back.

“There’s a little bit of a different feeling just because of how special it is to play on Monday Night Football,” said Tom Brady, Patriots quarterback.

Not that a matchup between the top two teams in the AFC isn’t special enough -- the 11-1 Houston Texans are the class of the conference and the New England Patriots know they have a tough test on their hands.

“I mean, they’re the best team in the NFL. It’s not a big deal for us. We know we have to play well. They’re the best team for a reason,” said Vince Wilfork, Patriots defensive lineman. “They definitely have what it takes to be a champion so you have to respect that.”

The Patriots have plenty of respect for Houston and said they are ready to earn some of their own on football’s biggest stage.

“I think for us as a team there’s not really much more you could ask for than that -- to play Monday Night Football in December against one of the best teams in the NFL and see what we’re capable of,” said Brady.