Patriots news & notes: Mac Jones faces the cold; Bills not built for the cold

Mac Jones is quickly becoming the darling of the NFL, but can the New England Patriots rookie quarterback perform in cold weather?

As the present and future franchise quarterback for this franchise, he better be able to perform. Not only does he have a team built for cold weather surrounding him, but he also has a head coach in Bill Belichick that will certainly prepare him when it comes with braving the elements as it did last week against the Tennessee Titans.

"“No,” Jones said when asked if the elements bothered him at Gillette Stadium last Sunday. “I think like I said, the practice helps and that was not as bas as it’s going to be obviously and it’s a mindset thing and Coach Belichick always tells us to get what you need on and be prepared and then don’t complain about it because it is what it is. It’s just a mindset. Obviously, it will get worse and we’ll continue to figure it out and work through it.”"

Patriots quarterback Mac Jones not phased by the weather elements

In playing just about all his high school and college football in warm weather environments, the questioning surrounding Mac Jones is more about his arm strength versus whether he can mentally and physically be prepared.

In the team’s 36-13 win over the Titans his arm strength didn’t appear to be an issue as Jones had one of his best games throwing the ball yardage wise. He completed 23 of 32 passes for a career-high 310 yards with two touchdowns.

In 35-degree weather with a little snow sounds like he did just fine. Although there may be wind involved on Monday night, it is more the hostile environment and that rowdy Buffalo Bills fandom that may be the toughest challenge for Jones to overcome.

Patriots notebook: Bills not built for cold weather?

Will all the attention on Mac Jones and how he will handle both a hostile environment and cold weather, one former Patriots executive believes it is the home team with the disadvantage.

According to Mike Lombardi, who appeared on WEEIs Merloni & Fauria on Friday, the Bills aren’t built for the cold weather of Buffalo because he believes they are more of a finesse team offensively and lack a running game. With the weather expected to be in the 20s and windy, Lombardi says advantage Patriots.

"“Buffalo is not built for the weather in Buffalo,” he said as transcribed by WEEI. “They are more of a finesse team. We’re going to have 29 degrees, windy and overcast there, 21 mph winds, probably snow. That’s not exactly the best conditions to throw the football. It’s going to come down to physical toughness within the trenches and we’ll see what team is better in that area.”"

This is exactly why a physical beast like Christian Barmore is so important in this game. If the Patriots hold tough along the defensive line and control the run, this could and should be a difficult game for Josh Allen and the Bills passing attack.

As Lombardi goes on to state, the Bills will have “to run the ball to control the game” which will take the ball out of Allen’s hands. Is he discipline enough to take what Bill Belichick gives him? Can the Bills offensive line be physical enough to run the ball and stick with the run?

This game between the Patriots and Bills will come down to the trenches. The challenge seems more on Buffalo’s side to prove they can transform their offense to brave the elements.