"It's no secret that the Patriots are the inarguable underdogs going into their Sunday Night Football matchup with the Bills in Week 5, as everyone is expecting them to lose to the reigning divisional champions in primetime. Although there's always a chance for a sneaky win, the Patriots are far from being in the same position as the Bills, so a win seems more unlikely."
"By the end of the week, when players said Vrabel had music blaring at practice that included the Bills' "Shout" song which often has fans in Orchard Park dancing in celebration, there seemed to be a collective embracing of an "us against the world" approach in the locker room. That led one player to ask a reporter their game prediction. It was a Bills win, which further added to the underdog vibe."
The Patriots enter Sunday Night Football as clear underdogs to the undefeated Bills in Week 5, with public expectations favoring Buffalo. Players and coaches acknowledge the gap between the teams and are using the underdog label as fuel. Longstanding norms of ignoring external noise have softened given the Bills' dominance, prompting overt motivational tactics. Coach Vrabel had music blaring at practice that included the Bills' "Shout" song, and players embraced an "us against the world" mentality in the locker room. Confirmation of a Bills prediction further intensified the chip-on-the-shoulder atmosphere. The game is being treated as a gauge of the Patriots' standing.
Read at Musket Fire
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