ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. Preparing for an emotional environment: Patriots captain Deatrich Wise Jr. summed up the unique situation the team finds itself in Sunday on the road against the Buffalo Bills (1 p.m. ET, CBS).
Everyone in the NFL community has been pulling for the Bills and injured safety Damar Hamlin -- the Patriots included -- and now New England faces Buffalo as an opponent in a game with postseason implications, as a win secures a spot in the playoffs for the Patriots.