FOXBOROUGH – Jerod Mayo has played in and coached in some extremely difficult environments during his time with the Patriots organization.

But even he can’t really prepare the defensive unit for what they might have to deal with on Sunday.

With the news that Damar Hamlin was incredibly Face-Timing with teammates on Friday morning, the level of emotion the Pats will face when walking into Buffalo will be unlike anything anyone on the team has seen before. While Bill Belichick praised both Mayo and Troy Brown as being tremendously valuable resources for him this week while navigating the unprecedented situation, Mayo was asked on Friday if there’s anything he could do or say to try and help prepare guys for the type of atmosphere they’ll be facing.

“Not at all,” he said. “I think it’s going to be an intense environment. I always say, going down to Buffalo is is like playing in college, in SEC stadiums, so it’s definitely going to be tough.”

Mayo also acknowledged that everyone fully understands the Bills will be playing for their teammate first and foremost, adding a whole other layer of emotion, especially now that they know he’s doing so much better.

“Absolutely. When a guy gets injured like that, they’re definitely going to be motivated. We have to go out there and execute our game plan as well and see what happens,” said Mayo.

As wild as it may seem to “ordinary” people, football players’ ability to flip the switch and become the blood thirsty, physical monsters they are each Sunday is unlike any other athlete. With the Patriots’ season on the line, Mayo explained the mentality this team will have to have if they’re going to go in to an absolute hornet’s nest and come out with a playoff berth.

“Honesty, it’s win and you’re in,” he added. “That’s the mentality. There’s no speech or anything like that a coach can give you. You win and you’re in the playoffs, or you lose and go home. It’s a plastic bag game…if you lose, you get a big plastic bag (for all your stuff to clean out your locker), it’s a tars bag game.”

It won’t be easy, but New England hopes the only bags they’re packing are bags for a road playoff game next weekend, perhaps back in Buffalo.