FOXBORO -- Wes Welker had a monster game when his Patriots visited Buffalo last season in Week 3.
He had 16 receptions for 217 yards and two touchdowns.
The Patriots would love to see him put up those numbers once again against the Bills in Buffalo on Sunday, as they try to get back to .500.
And if there's any type of trend, then Welker could have a similar type of day. His 2012 season has been a steady increase from Week 1 to Week 3, having only three receptions for 14 yards against the Titans in the season-opener, followed by five receptions for 95 yards in a Week 2 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, and then an eight-reception, 142-yard game against the Ravens on Sunday night.
Welker's Week 3 outburst was a sign that the Patriots were not phasing him out of anything, and that perhaps, it was nothing more than strategy.
"I think that's just the way it's worked out," said Patriots coach Bill Belichick on Friday. "I mean, Wes is always prepared. He works hard. Sometimes the opportunities come. Sometimes they don't. But, a lll you can do is keep working hard, and put yourself in a good position to take advantage of them when they show up."
Welker has yet to catch a touchdown this season. Whatever the game plan may be on Sunday in Buffalo, Welker -- like the first three games -- will be ready. And he'll be ready to have another big game.
And even if he doesn't have a big game against the Bills, he realizes it's a long season, and that the opportunities will come.
"I just go out there and try to do my job on a daily basis," said Welker on Friday. "And when my number's called and I get that opportunity, i try to take advantage of them. We have a long season to go. And I'm going to get a lot more opportunities. And I've got to make sure that I'm making the plays for the team for us to win games."