FOXBORO -- The New England Patriots have become a history-making team this season, and it continued Sunday.

Kevin Faulk became the team's all-time leader in receptions by a running back, surpassing Tony Collins (1981-87). Faulk entered the game needing 6 catches to break the previous mark of 261, and he came up with exactly 6, for 37 yards.

Also Sunday, quarterback Tom Brady became New England's all-time winningest quarterback with the 76th win of his career, surpassing Steve Grogan.

On Nov. 5, against Indianapolis, Troy Brown became the Pats' all-time leader in receptions, breaking Stanley Morgan's record of 534.

It must be the water at Gillette Stadium, because record-breaking is becoming contagious.

"You think about it from a distance," said Faulk, whose record-setting reception was a 9-yard catch in the fourth quarter. "What you trademark yourself after is what you do for the team. Everything I do is for this team, and if I get individual accomplishments from that, then great. But, I'm a team guy."

If Faulk wants to make an individual statement, he would rather it have an effect on his young son, Kevin III. Still, there will come a day when the elder reflects on his career and cherish a performance like Sunday's.

"Of course, I'm human," he said. "You're always going to look back, that might be the motivation I tell my son, 'Hey look, I did this.' He's always telling me he's going to be better than me, so this might be motivation for him."

What made Faulk's performance Sunday even more impressive was the fact the veteran back had been battling the flu. He's had a temperature and needed a little extra treatment prior to Sunday's game, but once he got the green light from coach Bill Belichick, Faulk was ready to go.

"He's a great player," said Brady. "He's got great quickness. He's got great vision out there, and probably has the best hands on the team. He makes [defenders] miss as a running back. He's tough. He's a great leader. He's so dependable. He's awesome and he's what this team is built on."

Faulk, like Brown and Brady, would rather not discuss his accomplishments. All three are humble, but their presence and performances certainly make a mark on the rest of the team.

"Kevin's every head coach's dream, because he's a hard worker and a good character guy," said fullback Heath Evans. "He's never going to be in trouble and leads by his actions. Week in and week out, he's coming to play ball. You can't cover him one-on-one and he reads defenses probably better than any wide receiver we have -- except for Troy (Brown). He's the consummate team player and he does his job superbly every week."

Faulk has posted 25 or more receptions in each of the last 7 seasons, and was a key component during the Patriots' three Super Bowl titles.

"Kevin is what he is," added Evans. "He's tough as nails."