Patriots veteran has advice for rookies to prepare for Bills Mafia

As the New England Patriots get set to take on the Buffalo Bills on Monday night, a Patriots veteran has advice for the rookies on how to deal with the fans.

This will be quarterback Mac Jones first time in the confines of Buffalo. For Jones and several rookies, it will be their first chance to have unique experience.

For veteran special teams are Matthew Slater, this trip to Buffalo is more a formality than anything else. Slater has been with the Patriots for 14 seasons, and understands what to expect from Buffalo Bills fans.

Dubbing themselves “Bills Mafia” they have garnered a reputation for being some of the most passionate fans in all of the NFL. Per Dakota Randall of NESN.com, Slater is looking forward to the challenge in between the lines.

“It’s gonna be crazy,” Slater said at Gillette Stadium. “That’s a great environment up there. I tip my cap to Bills Mafia. I think they do a great job supporting their team. They make it tough on opponents. I think you just have to stay in the moment up there. There’s gonna be some adversity when you go up there and play a good football team in a hostile environment, and you just have to keep playing — take it play-by-play. And try not to let the game get too big for you.

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“So, we’ll see. That’s not just a task for Mac. That’s a task for everyone. So, we’ll do our best to control the controllable and realize what matters most is what happens between the white lines.”

The last time these two teams played, they were in a similar scenario. On Monday Night Football, Buffalo was able to defeat New England by a 38-9 margin. New England comes into this game looking for their first win against Buffalo since December 21, 2019.

As New England looks to continue their playoff push, Monday’s game against could have large implications.