Be prepared, New England Patriots. All of the world will be rooting against you on Sunday, except the tiny country called Patriots Nation.

From the unfortunate Damar Hamlin incident Monday night to the very fortunate and uplifting story of his apparent recovery has gripped the country and in some respects the world. The Bills have received a ton of emotional support and for the next few weeks will be viewed as America’s Team.

All this while New England vies for a playoff spot, vs. a team they’ve lost five of their last six meetings to.

“Everybody will have to individually process it like we’ve been doing,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. “But expect it to be an emotional scene. In the end we’re going there to play our best football game.

“So, I think everybody understands there’s the balance and there’s multiple things going on here.”

If the Patriots fall, and one of the other teams in contention (Miami, Pittsburgh) win to grab that last spot, it will be one heckuva fallout into the offseason. That will be it for players like Devin McCourty and Matthew Slater, and so much attention will be on the coaching staff, Mac Jones, etc.

If the Patriots win? It’s likely either back to Buffalo or we’re on to Cincinnati.

But nothing will match the emotional atmosphere today in Buffalo.

Here’s a look around the league:

BILLS 30, PATRIOTS 24

These games can go either way; the fact that Hamlin is apparently recovering means the Bills can get their minds somewhat right. They do have something to play for, hoping for at least the second seed. If you’e the Patriots, you want to start quickly before Buffalo gets its legs and minds in game mode. May not happen.

DOLPHINS 20, JETS 13

Any game involving the Dolphins is tough to call because of the quarterback situation, and what Skylar Thompson can actually do. But he’s got to be better than Joe Flacco and the Fish swim to the playoffs.

BENGALS 30, RAVENS 17

You can count on one thing in the offseason – Baltimore franchising Lamar Jackson, because they’re getting a bad taste of what life is like without him. The Bengals will also have to get their minds right, and their leadership – coach Zac Taylor and QB Joe Burrow – will make sure of that.

BROWNS 24, STEELERS 14

Upset special? Cleveland is playing a little better, Deshaun Watson is getting his legs a bit, and the Steelers, despite the heroics of Kenny Pickett, just aren’t that good. Sorry Pittsburgh, we know you’ve had a tough week, too.

GREEN BAY 24, DETROIT 21

This should have been the Saturday night game and Jacksonville-Tennessee the Sunday Night contest, but what’s done is done. The Lions will play tough, whether they have a reason to or not, but it just seems like the Pack will get in.

SEAHAWKS 33, RAMS 13

Let’s face it, the Rams made a mockery of defending a Super Bowl title, but injuries had something to do with it. Problem is, when you don’t have a lot of draft picks, your depth gets destroyed. In Geno Smith we trust. In Pete Carroll we trust. Who knew.

PANTHERS 24, SAINTS 21

Too bad Carolina didn’t come through with a win over Tampa, it would have been nice to see Steve Wilkes get the head job for next season. Now he likley has no shot, but he and Sam Darnold can at least go out on a good note.

LAST WEEK: 3-3

SEASON: 66-52

Tom King may be reached at tking@nashuatelegraph.com. Also, follow King on Twitter (@Telegraph_TomK).

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