FOXBORO – A winter chill was in the air on Wednesday. The cold temperature was another reminder for the Patriots about what’s upon them. In the NFL, when the winter comes, the most important games of the season usually follow.

For the Patriots, that’s certainly true. Coming off their bye week, they enter the second half of the season playing five of the next six games on the road. If they want the AFC’s No. 1 seed, they’ll have to make some improvements and play their best football at the appropriate time.

For Tom Brady, that means going to the one place that’s been a nightmare– Denver. The Pats matchup with the Broncos this week is a solid test to kick start the second half of the 2017 season.

“We’ve got eight to go. This is about the time where everyone starts to see what you’re made of,” Brady said. “Eight games are done. I think we’ve learned a lot of things. Hopefully, we can use the things we’ve learned and apply it to very competitive games. Starting with this one, a tough place to play against a very tough team. None of them are going to be easy. We’re going to have to play better than we played. That’s what our goal is.”

Life against the Broncos hasn’t been easy for Brady. Overall, Brady has 6-6 record season record against the Broncos. He’s 1-3 in the playoffs. When it comes to playing inside Mile High Stadium, it’s even worse where Brady is 3-7 (0-3 in the playoffs; 3-4 in the regular season).

In 12 regular-season games, Brady has completed 59.8 percent of his passes making the Broncos one of four teams to have held the quarterback to under 60 percent (Arizona, Baltimore and Kansas City). Last season’s win against the Broncos marked Brady’s first in Denver in four years, snapping a three-game losing streak.

This time around, the Patriots are taking on a struggling Broncos (3-5) team, whom has lost four straight games. Brady will be playing opposite of quarterback Brock Osweiler, who beat the Patriots in 2015. Of course, that season, that Broncos defense led that team to a Super Bowl championship.

“I think they’ve had good teams. Really, obviously you play on the road, it’s tough location wise,” Brady said. “When you play good teams, I think the margin of error is even more slim. This team has always had good football teams. They’re good in all phases. They’re well coached, good players, good offenses and defenses. Good kickers. Lot of games have been close. Little margin of error when you go out there. We’re going to have to play good. They have a great defense. Great player on both sides of the ball. You can’t go out there and make a bunch of mistakes and expect to win.”

The current team health status is a cause of concern for Brady and the Patriots. Starting right tackle Marcus Cannon has missed the last two practices in a row with an ankle injury. If he can’t play, LaAdrian Waddle will start and have to fend off All-Pro edge rusher Von Miller. To make matters worse, Chris Hogan still hasn’t practiced since hurting his shoulder against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Hogan is currently tied for first on the Patriots in touchdowns, tied for third in receptions and third in receiving yards. When you take into account a talented Broncos secondary, led by Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr., and a talented edge rusher in Von Miller, this Patriots offense could have their hands full.

Brady expects the Broncos best effort.

“I think at this point, every win is important for every team. No one likes to lose. We feel that way,” Brady said. “We’ve lost a game. There’s definitely urgency. You learn a lot from losses. Everyone wants to get the bad taste out of his mouth. Anytime you lose, that’s how you feel. I’m sure they feel that way… We’re going to have to play good to beat them. Hopefully we can go and execute, make a bunch of plays. That’ll take care of a lot of things for us.”