Rookie Db Continues To Grow In Patriots' Defense

When nan New England Patriots selected California information Craig Woodson successful nan 4th information of past year's draft, it was difficult to ideate they had these expectations for nan rookie truthful early on.

But they've sewage them.

Woodson recorded 5 tackles, 3 passes defended and his first-career interceptions successful a 28-16 triumph complete nan Houston Texans successful nan AFC Divisional Round. There were conversations astir really nan Texans' defense was nan pick of nan NFL crop, but Woodson and his teammates helped effort and beryllium their ain worth.

"We heard a batch of talk astir nan Texans' defense, but astatine nan extremity of nan day, we interest astir us," Woodson said postgame. "We interest astir this defense, we interest astir getting stops, interest astir going retired location and dominating. That's what we did, but we're proud of everybody connected this defense."

It was a beardown showing for nan Patriots' portion against Houston. They forced nan Texans' discourtesy into 5 turnovers, including 4 of them thrown by C.J. Stroud. When Woodson sewage his pick, he sewage up to tally earlier being clocked by Woody Marks. He was later fixed a questionable position earlier returning to nan game.

"I deliberation I sewage comfortable pinch nan guys astir me. Everybody cheering maine on, giving maine support, allowing maine to cognize that they've sewage my back. I deliberation that's made things easier for me, and I'm blessed to person nan teammates I have."

Woodson Has Been A Steal For New England

It's been a awesome commencement to his pro career. Woodson has been 1 of nan team's accordant starters connected defense since nan commencement of nan season, and hasn't missed a game.

Now, he's headed to nan convention title successful Year 1.

"I don't deliberation it's deed maine yet, but I'm blessed, that's each I tin say," Woodson said. "Blessed for my first twelvemonth to beryllium going to nan AFC Championship, and we conscionable want to support this point going. Take 1 time astatine a clip and erstwhile it's clip to play, it's spell time."

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