FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- While every game provides an opportunity for a team to learn more about itself, some qualify more than others. The New England Patriots' 27-16 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at Heinz Field is one such example.

Allow special teams captain and overall emotional leader Matthew Slater to explain.

"I think we showed a great deal of toughness and mental fortitude, going to a place like that and being able to win a football game," he said. "It was exciting to see us respond in that situation and hopefully we can continue to grow moving forward."

Slater, who breaks down the Patriots in the locker room after victories, had shared his view with teammates after the game (via Patriots.com) that what they accomplished Sunday was "a big-time character win."

"The first two road games we played, there was a big Patriot presence there from the fans. You're not going to get that in Pittsburgh. It was a hostile environment and it was a time for us to really worry about everybody that was in a white uniform," he said Monday in the locker room.

This echoes something current ESPN analyst and Patriots Hall of Famer Tedy Bruschi has talked about in the past: Winning on the road can bring a team together because all the players have is each other in that environment.

So while no one was saying it was the Patriots' best performance -- quarterback Tom Brady talked about some "self-inflicted wounds" after the game -- the ability to respond to the Steelers' third-quarter surge showed a toughness that should serve the team well leading into Sunday's game at the Buffalo Bills (1 p.m.).

"The crowd's going crazy and you get glimpses of what your team is all about," Brady said. "Our guys hung in there and fought hard. It's tough to win on the road in the NFL, especially against a good team. I know they were missing some players, but still, it's great to win."

The Patriots (6-1) can expect a similar environment at New Era Field in Orchard Park, as the Bills (4-3) will essentially be fighting to keep their hopes of winning the AFC East alive.

"I think we're always building confidence in ourselves and each other, and going through adversity and being put in tough situations, there's no other way to build it but to be put in those situations," left tackle Nate Solder said. "When you have some positive things come out of that, it gives you a little hope that with all the things we need to improve on, there's some good there."

Another area where Slater sees good is the team chemistry that has developed behind the scenes.

"The thing about this team that really excited me is how well we get along and how we care for one another beyond the football field," he said. "It's a unique vibe."