FOXBORO, Mass. -- You've probably heard of a "hat and T-shirt game," where a team has a chance to clinch a division title and receive the accompanying commemorative attire.
Sunday's contest in Buffalo could be the opposite for the New England Patriots.
A win over the Bills would put the Patriots in the playoffs as the AFC's third and final wild card. A loss, though, most likely would end their season.
Linebackers coach Jerod Mayo has a name for a matchup like this: a "plastic bag game."
"You're in the playoffs, or we lose and we go home," Mayo said Friday. "A plastic bag game. If you lose, you get a big plastic bag. A trash bag. A trash bag game."
The Patriots still could sneak into the postseason with a loss in Buffalo, but that would require the Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans all to lose, as well. And with the Titans facing the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday night, that avenue could be closed before New England even takes the field Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
Patriots players and coaches are expecting an extremely emotional atmosphere at Highmark Stadium as the Bills take the field for the first time since safety Damar Hamlin collapsed during Monday night's game in Cincinnati.
Hamlin remained hospitalized as of Friday afternoon but has made what doctors called "remarkable" progress in his recovery from cardiac arrest. He was able to speak with his Bills teammates over FaceTime on Friday, and Buffalo surely will be motivated to win for him this weekend.
This game also carries playoff implications for the Bills, who still have seeding to play for. The Patriots are winless in their last three meetings with Buffalo, losing those games by an average of 18.7 points.
"This is going to be an intense environment," Mayo said.
