Wes Welker running with one of his 10 catches on Sunday afternoon.

Journal photo / Mary Murphy

FOXBORO -- Wes Welker knew before Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills that he had an opportunity to set an NFL record for consecutive games with six or more catches.

He said that his friends and several family members had been calling and asking him about the record all week.

But Welker said that breaking the record was the furthest thing from his mind Sunday.

"I don't pay too much attention to that," Welker said. "I'm just out there trying to play winning football, move the chains and things like that."

No player in NFL history had caught six or more passes in nine consecutive games to start a season until Welker did it this season.

He registered 10 catches for 107 yards on Sunday. It was his first 100-yard receiving game of the season and the fifth of his career.

Welker is second in the NFL with 66 catches this season. He gives a lot of credit for his production to quarterback Matt Cassel.

"Matt and I are good friends and we worked a lot together this offseason," Welker said. "He's always working hard and doing the best he can. He's doing a great job of finding me and getting the ball to me, and from there I'm just able to catch the ball and try to make the plays from there."

Welker made several big plays Sunday, and unlike in previous games where he has been limited to mostly short screen passes, Welker caught a couple of passes downfield, adding a new element to the Patriots' offense.

"He's just a stud," Cassel said. "He goes out and he gives you 150 percent every single play. There's no let up in the guy. He's got fight and he's got grit. He's a guy that every guy on this team looks up to and says, 'I want to play with you and I want you on my team,' because he's a special guy and he continues to get better and he continues to work hard and he's never complacent. And that's one thing Welker is good at: He just continues to push himself to be better."

Welker's 21-yard grab on the Patriots' first possession helped set up a 13-yard Cassel touchdown run two plays later.

After Buffalo cut New England's lead to 10-3 with 7:09 remaining in the second quarter on a Rian Lindell 25-yard field goal, Welker caught a 27-yard pass on the Patriots' first play of the ensuing drive.

On the same drive, on second and 14, Welker hauled in a 13-yard pass to make it third and one. The Patriots got a first down on the next play.

Welker set the record on a 12-yard reception in the third quarter -- his sixth catch of the day.

The previous record was eight, set by Jacksonville's Jimmy Smith in 2001. Dating back to last season (including the playoffs), Welker has had six or more receptions in 13 straight games.

The NFL record for most consecutive games with six or more receptions is 16, achieved by Marvin Harrison of the Colts from 2002 to 2003.

"He is a tremendous football player," Buffalo coach Dick Jauron said of Welker.

Welker said that his game is improving with each passing week.

"When I started out as a young player, the more experience I got, the more I understood the game, understood coverages and things like that," Welker said.

"This was a big win," Welker added. "It was for first place in the division for now, and we've got a big one this next week on Thursday night. It's coming up pretty quick, so we've got to make sure that we're ready to go."

roblee@projo.com