
While it’s frustrating the Bills no longer control their destiny, the team’s focus, and what they consider a win, is Hamlin’s recovery. The only path for Buffalo to reclaim the top spot would be to defeat the Patriots on Sunday, January 8, and hope the Las Vegas Raiders defeat the Chiefs (13-3). With the new league rule changes, the Kansas City Chiefs edge out the Bills for the No. “So, it’s definitely going to be tough.” But with the celebration of Hamlin’s progress at the forefront of the game, Mayo expects “an intense environment.” “I always say going down to Buffalo is like playing in an SEC stadium,” Mayo said. The Bills Mafia attendance in Orchard Park always creates an electric atmosphere, but with tributes planned for Hamlin, the team’s athletic trainers, and emergency responders, Mayo knows it’s going to be next level in Buffalo.

What he said to the team: “Love you boys.” ❤️ /8dorrWNaxt Mayo Is Expecting an ‘Intense Environment’ in Orchard Parkĭamar Hamlin FaceTimed into our team meeting today to talk to players and coaches. It’s just one of these humbling moments for all of us.” It’s very unfortunate… Life’s bigger than this game. “Unfortunately injuries like this can and do happen from time to time. “Football is a very great and competitive game,” he said, per NESN‘s Zack Cox. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick commented on Hamlin’s medical emergency while addressing the media on Thursday. The training staff oftentimes - the guys who no one even knows their names - the trainers, the doctors, all hands on deck… great news today. I just want to say thanks to everyone involved. You know, he’s been in our thoughts and prayers over the last few days. “I just heard the great news that he’s no longer on the breathing tube. Mayo, 36, didn’t finish his presser without delivering a heartfelt message about Hamlin’s recovery. “That means if you lose, you get a big plastic trash bag,” Mayo explained, indicating that if the Patriots lose on Sunday, players need to quickly pack up their stuff to go home because their season is effectively over. Either you win and you’re in the playoffs, or you lose and you go home. “There’s no speech or anything that a coach can give you. “Honestly, you win and you’re in, and that’s the mentality,” Mayo said, per. If they lose, everyone gets a trash bag to clean out their lockers.

Jerod Mayo called Sunday a “plastic bag game” for the Patriots. With New England’s postseason hanging in the balance, Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo referred to their final regular season matchup as a “plastic bag game” while addressing the media on Friday, and the former Super Bowl champ explained why. New England would need both the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers to lose in Week 18, and for the Jacksonville Jaguars to win, per Yahoo! Sports. If the Patriots lose to the Bills, the Patriots can still limp into the playoffs, but it’s a tall order. While the Bills have already clinched their spot in the postseason, the Patriots must defeat Buffalo in Week 18 to snag the final AFC Wild Card. The NFL announced on Thursday, January 5 that the Bills-Bengals matchup would officially be declared a no-contest, which has large repercussions for playoff teams in the AFC. While it seemed highly doubtful that the Bills would be able to push through and play after Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during their Monday Night Football matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, the safety’s remarkable recovery over the past five days has reinvigorated the team. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo talk on the sidelines at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2022.įollowing one of the most traumatic weeks in NFL history, the Buffalo Bills (12-3) will take on their AFC East rival, the New England Patriots (8-8), at Highmark Stadium on Sunday, January 8.
