Patriots getting back to business

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – With healthier bodies and refreshed minds, the New England Patriots returned to work on Tuesday after a few days away from the field. They were back at practice after a bye week that followed a cross-ocean trip to London two weeks after a cross-country journey to Seattle. The burden of those travels made the time off welcome, even if the break might stifle any momentum the Patriots gained by routing the St. Louis Rams 45-7 in England for their second consecutive win. “Your body doesn’t mind hitting pause for a little bit,” special teams captain Matthew Slater said Tuesday. “We understand the things that we were doing well and the things that we need to improve upon, but I think rest is equally important and we were able to get that this past week.” The Patriots lead the AFC East with a 5-3 record and the remaining schedule shouldn’t be as draining. Only three of the eight games are on the road, and all three on the East Coast – at the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars.