Why Patriots' Will Campbell going on IR could lead to a major upset win for the Giants in Week 13

Why Patriots' Will Campbell going on IR could lead to a major upset win for the Giants in Week 13 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Everything is connected. A butterfly sits on a blade of grass in Boston, and it causes a celebration in New York. The NFL is no exception.

Except in this case the butterfly is New England Patriots left tackle Will Campbell, and instead of sitting on a blade of grass, he’s gone and gotten himself hurt. And that has major implications for Big Blue out in New York City.

Campbell was the Pats’ No. 4 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. And while he has given up a few sacks (five, to be exact), he has been by far the highest-rated pass blocker on New England’s suspect line according to PFF, which has given him a 76.1 rating so far this season. Only one other Patriot lineman has a grade above 70.

So, Campbell suffering an MCL injury that has forced him onto injured reserve is a big deal for the scorching Patriots and their MVP candidate quarterback Drake Maye. Campbell will miss at least four games, meaning he can’t come back until the regular season finale in Week 18.

That’s a long-term concern, but a more pressing one is their opponent in Week 13: the New York Giants and their NFC-leading pass rush specialist.

New England has allowed 37 sacks on a sack rate of 9.4%, both sixth-most in the league this year. Maye has taken all 37, which puts him third in the league in sacks taken.

And in their first week without arguably their best player, the Patriots’ offensive line will have to take on the Giants’ front line, which is led by sack master Brian Burns. New York’s 26 sacks are middle of the pack, but they are top 12 in pressures, with 96.

Dexter Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux have not put up gaudy numbers, but Burns has been a force, putting up 13.0 sacks this season, second only to Myles Garrett. Burns generally plays on both sides of N.Y.'s defensive front, but getting a backup on the left side for New England means he should have a field day over there on the right edge.

Coming in for Campbell is Vederian Lowe... the exact guy that played so poorly last year that the team invested a top-five pick in Campbell in April. Lowe gave up two pressures in just 16 snaps last week when he came on in relief for Campbell, which was not a good sign.

The Giants have been close to upsetting a number of teams this year. They just haven’t been able to stop opposing offenses from mounting comebacks.

But if Burns can dominate his matchup with Lowe and cause a ruckus (and maybe a turnover or two), Big Blue could finally seal their first win since October 9—and against the hottest team in football no less.