New England Patriots left tackle Will Campbell is hoping for a frigid Gillette Stadium as the Los Angeles Chargers come to town, and he's not alone in his desire. The 22-year-old tackle has grown accustomed to the chilly conditions in New England, having played high school football in Louisiana before suiting up for SEC foes at LSU.
Unlike the Chargers, who will be heading into the cold for the first time this season, Campbell isn't fazed by the temperature drop. "I don't mind the cold. I honestly never have," he said candidly on Wednesday. The weather forecast is calling for temperatures to be in the mid-30s by kickoff, which could be a significant factor in Sunday's game.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert acknowledged the impact of cold weather on his performance, especially when dealing with injuries like his broken left hand. "Yeah, early on in warmups, I could tell it was getting pretty cold and just not being able to move it as much," he said after a recent win against Kansas City.
The Patriots have actually thrived away from home this season, going 8-0 on the road while struggling at 6-3 in Foxborough. Stefon Diggs believes holding home-field advantage comes with its perks. "A little bit more comfortable. You at the crib... You don't have to travel," he said. "Weather might be consistent with you, because with what you deal with day in and day out."
Mike Vrabel echoed a similar sentiment about making Sunday's game uncomfortable for the Chargers beyond blitzing packages. "It's just got to be a tough place to play in January... If we're able to get there in January like we are, we have to create an environment that makes it difficult to play." The Patriots' coach believes they need to feed off their crowd and let them energize the team.
While Campbell's preference for cold weather might not translate to a significant edge over the Chargers, he remains optimistic about his team's chances. As the game approaches, one thing is certain – the freezing temperatures will undoubtedly be on everyone's mind.
Unlike the Chargers, who will be heading into the cold for the first time this season, Campbell isn't fazed by the temperature drop. "I don't mind the cold. I honestly never have," he said candidly on Wednesday. The weather forecast is calling for temperatures to be in the mid-30s by kickoff, which could be a significant factor in Sunday's game.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert acknowledged the impact of cold weather on his performance, especially when dealing with injuries like his broken left hand. "Yeah, early on in warmups, I could tell it was getting pretty cold and just not being able to move it as much," he said after a recent win against Kansas City.
The Patriots have actually thrived away from home this season, going 8-0 on the road while struggling at 6-3 in Foxborough. Stefon Diggs believes holding home-field advantage comes with its perks. "A little bit more comfortable. You at the crib... You don't have to travel," he said. "Weather might be consistent with you, because with what you deal with day in and day out."
Mike Vrabel echoed a similar sentiment about making Sunday's game uncomfortable for the Chargers beyond blitzing packages. "It's just got to be a tough place to play in January... If we're able to get there in January like we are, we have to create an environment that makes it difficult to play." The Patriots' coach believes they need to feed off their crowd and let them energize the team.
While Campbell's preference for cold weather might not translate to a significant edge over the Chargers, he remains optimistic about his team's chances. As the game approaches, one thing is certain – the freezing temperatures will undoubtedly be on everyone's mind.
I don't get why people think the weather has an advantage in football games. It's just cold, you know? 
Like, I'm glad it's not scorching hot outside, but I wouldn't say it gives one team a boost or anything. The Patriots are 8-0 on the road because they're good at playing well no matter where they are, right? 
Not because the weather is all special. And can we talk about how weird it is that everyone's freaking out about it being in the mid-30s? Like, who even cares when you've got heaters and stuff to keep you warm? 
... 8-0 on the road? that's pretty suspicious if you ask me 
... can't help but think they're hiding something from their home-field advantage stats 
... and what's up with Justin Herbert being so sensitive to cold temperatures? 
is it really that big of a deal or are they just trying to make the Chargers look bad? 
. anyways, bring it on, LA!
! It's like, you can tell they're fueled by their crowd and they want to feed off that energy to take down their opponents 
. I mean, Stefon Diggs' point about not having to travel is so true, it's always a tougher game when you have to deal with the weather and the stress of being away from home 
.
having to deal with cold hands and stiffness... hope he can get through this game without too much discomfort 
. And I feel Stefon Diggs' sentiment about playing at home, it's def hard to beat the familiarity of your own turf 
. But on the other hand, a little chill wouldn't hurt the Patriots 
... maybe they can use that to their advantage? 
, I mean, who doesn't love a good frostbite-induced stress test for their joints? It'll definitely keep things interesting for the Chargers, who have to deal with actual cold weather for once 
. But hey, a little bit of discomfort never hurt anyone... right? 
️. I'm curious to see how Justin Herbert's broken hand will hold up against the Patriots' defense 
!
I think the Patriots' advantage in playing at home is gonna come down to more than just the weather! Stefon Diggs mentioned being more comfortable when they're at Gillette Stadium, but what about when it's -20°C outside? Will the Chargers be able to adjust their game plan on the fly? 
. I mean, Justin Herbert can't even move his hand properly because of a broken left hand? That's not gonna be easy to play through in 30-degree weather! Meanwhile, Will Campbell has been playing in colder conditions for years and it hasn't seemed to bother him... guess that's just part of being a pro 
. Some people thrive in chill conditions like Will Campbell, while others, like Justin Herbert, struggle with it, especially when they're injured 
. But here's the thing – it's not just about us, is it? 
It's about how we can adapt and make our surroundings work for us 
. Like Stefon Diggs said, having a consistent environment at home can be a big deal 
. And Mike Vrabel's all about creating an uncomfortable situation for the other team – that's some top-notch coaching right there 
. The thing is, though, it's not just about winning or losing; it's about how we respond to challenges and make our own luck 
. Can't help but think, what can we learn from this? 