FOXBORO, Mass. (WHDH) -- The Patriots are preparing to play the Buffalo Bills, a tough divisional foe.

"Yeah, you know by-week is over. It's time to get back to work with a division team that always plays it tough,” said Vince Wilfork.

"Well it seems like the games are a lot bigger. They mean more. They're more important coming in to the second half of the season and playing in November and December," said Bradon Lloyd.

Fresh off their bye week, the Patriots have reached the time of year that has typically produced their best stretch of football under Bill Belichick.

“I don't know. I think it's a mixture of a lot of things. One is Bill getting us back going, guys understanding that when it's time to go back to work,” said Vince Wilfork.

“There's nothing magical about it; it's just a matter of putting the work in like we do every week and going out there and playing well,” said Tom Brady.

The good news is the Patriots return this weekend against a familiar divisional foe; one they've played more than 100 times in their history and dropped 52 points against in week four.

“Anytime you're in your conference or inside your division you always want to get those games,” said Jerrod Mayo.

“If we win this we're 2-0 over a division opponent which is very critical,” Wilfork said.

“You have to be able to play some good football when it comes down to a division game. So we're back at it. Just have to play well. That's our main thing. And being able to execute. If we can execute, we'll be okay," Wilfork said.

This will be the sixth time since 2000 that the Bills are the Patriots' post-bye opponent and in every one of those meetings, except for 2000, the Patriots were victorious.