Foxborough – That playoff night should have belonged entirely to Drake Maye. He threw for 334 yards, controlled the game, and led the New England Patriots to their first playoff win in four years. As the crowd and the locker room began chanting “MVP,” everything seemed settled. But Maye turned that moment into something far greater than an individual award.
When the trophy was brought out, Maye shook his head and pointed toward the defense. “Give it to him,” he said. “That rookie saved us.” The room fell silent for a few seconds before emotion poured out. This wasn’t performative humility. It was an acknowledgment that the victory had been built on quiet, decisive defensive plays.
“That rookie” was Craig Woodson — a fourth-round safety drafted in 2025 — who had just delivered a playoff debut far beyond expectations. Woodson played nearly the entire game with roughly 60 snaps, recorded 11 tackles (leading the team), and added one tackle for loss on a key edge blitz. He played a major role in helping the Patriots shut down Justin Herbert, holding the Chargers to 159 passing yards and 207 total yards of offense.
Woodson’s performance wasn’t flashy, but it was nearly flawless. He made clean tackles against both the run and the pass, consistently kept plays in front of him, and allowed no explosive plays in his area. Physical, disciplined, and in sync with the secondary, he also provided strong support for Christian Gonzalez before Gonzalez exited with an injury. Multiple outlets labeled him an “unsung hero” and “nearly flawless in the secondary.”
As the award was handed over, tears were shed. Brotherhood. Recognition. “This is the Patriots. This is how we win,” Maye added. In a league that often celebrates stars, that moment reminded the NFL of its greatest value — team success. Craig Woodson didn’t just post a career-high in tackles; he announced himself as a true rookie defensive star, helped propel the Patriots into the Divisional Round, and created a moment fans will never forget.
