FOXBOROUGH — One of the perks of winning the AFC East is getting to host a January home game at Gillette Stadium.
On Sunday night, the Patriots will welcome the Los Angeles Chargers to Gillette Stadium, who have only played one game in temperatures below 40 degrees this season. The Chargers won that 16-13 contest with temperatures in the high teens at Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 14, but quarterback Justin Herbert acknowledged the cold impacted his broken left hand.
“Early on in warmups, I could tell it was getting pretty cold and just not being able to move it as much,” Herbert said.
On Wednesday afternoon in the Patriots locker room, rookie left tackle Will Campbell lamented his first look at the forecast.
“I think it’s the one weekend it’s not going to be cold. I think it’s supposed to be 50 degrees this weekend,” Campbell said.
Fortunately for Campbell and the Patriots, they drew the Sunday night game, and the temperatures are supposed to fall by then. Forecasters are calling for temperatures in the mid-30s at the 8:20 p.m. kickoff and dropping as the night progresses.
A Louisiana native, Campbell is hoping it gets chilly.
“I think it can help us,” Campbell said. “It’s not even going to be cold this weekend, but obviously it would be nice if it was. I do not mind the cold. I honestly never have. I will not say that I’m — I’m not used to the cold, but I do not mind it. I enjoy playing up here. I enjoy being a part of this team and playing with these guys.”