In an exciting pre-game warm-up at Gillette Stadium, the New England Patriots are getting ready to take on the Buffalo Bills. As the countdown to kickoff begins, there are some notable surprises in the list of inactives for the game.

The most significant absence is that of Malik Cunningham, who was declared inactive by Coach Belichick. It was unexpected news for Patriots fans, as many had anticipated seeing Cunningham on the field. Instead, Bailey Zappy will serve as the backup to starting quarterback Mac Jones, with Will Grier as the emergency third quarterback.

On a positive note, Paul Strange, the active offensive guard, is expected to provide a boost to the Patriots' ground game. His presence could be pivotal in helping Coach Belichick achieve his 300th win as the head coach of the team.

Adding to the anticipation of the game, a sizeable contingent of Bills fans has turned up at Gillette Stadium, showcasing their support for the visiting team. In other news, Coach Belichick recently signed a contract extension before the season, though specific details on the agreement have not yet been made public. The timing of the extension is intriguing, with added pressure on Belichick to lead the Patriots to the playoffs this year.

As the game kicks off, one of the factors that could significantly impact both the kicking and passing game is the presence of strong winds on the field. The windy conditions may pose a challenge for the players, testing their skills and adaptability.

Stay tuned for more updates on Channel Five after the game, where we will bring you post-game analysis and reactions. With the unexpected inactives and the challenging weather conditions, it's sure to be an intriguing matchup between the Patriots and the Bills.

Note: This news article is solely based on the information provided and does not contain any additional speculations or details beyond what was explicitly mentioned.