Monday Night Football doesn't hold quite the allure it used to when it was the only night game around. This game doesn't bring the novelty factor of the Houston Texans' first ever Monday Night Football Game in December of 2008 either. And yes, as everyone knows around here, the 5-7 Texans are all but guaranteed to miss the playoffs again.

Still, it's Monday Night Football, it's a big party, and Reliant Stadium will still be rocking.

This is an extremely important game for the 8-4 Baltimore Ravens, which is arguably the best team the Texans will play this year. The Ravens' calling card remains a stifling defense, which poses a major challenge for a Texans team that relies on its offense to win games. Arian Foster — the NFL's leading rusher — will be particularly tested by the seemingly ageless Ray Lewis and that Baltimore defense. Houston's longtime lifeline (receiver Andre Johnson) will take another pain-killing shot in order to play on Monday Night.

Don't tell Johnson it's not still a huge game.