In the end, although Campbell allowed a drive that led to a fumble and a turnover, it didn’t matter to the outcome and is valuable experience for the fourth overall pick in the 2025 draft.
“Obviously, I didn’t pitch a shutout,” Campbell said. “I had two or three plays that I wish I could get back. But this is a $300 million defense and I have a ton of respect for these guys. It’s going to be like this every week in the playoffs.
“Like a coach [Mike] Vrabel said, you have to be willing to spill some blood and violence. You just have to hope you don’t spill more than they do. That’s the name of the game.”
Vrabel expressed the theme of shedding blood, cutting his lip while celebrating with his players at the end of the 16-3 victory over the Chargers. Against Texas on Sunday in the divisional opener, Vrabel will have to hope his players cut down on their mistakes because Houston’s defense presents a much bigger challenge.
As Campbell noted, success in the postseason will be tough. That will be especially challenging against a Houston pass-rushing unit that includes a pair of monsters in Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, a duo responsible for a combined 27 sacks in 2025 and added 1.5 sacks in a 30-6 win over the Steelers on Wild Card Weekend.
“It’s my job. It’s what they pay me to do.” Campbell said he bounced back against Houston. “I can look at it and be like, ‘Yeah, I wish I had two plays last week,’ but it’s draining energy this week.” Someone told me that and it is very true.
“I can’t be worrying about last week, because honestly, a second after it happened, it doesn’t mean anything.” [expletive] longer. There’s nothing I can do about it, the people in the stands can do about it, you’ve just got to keep going and keep playing. You don’t let one game turn into 10.”
Campbell is right: If the Patriots are going to continue their magical run to the AFC Championship Game, they can’t let individual mistakes snowball. The last thing they need is to find themselves buried under a defensive avalanche.
“That’s what you come to the NFL for,” Campbell said. “That’s what you want – to be in games like this. It’s not going to be pretty. It’s not going to be easy, but you have to find a way to scratch and scratch to come away with a win.”