Buffalo Rumblings
The Buffalo Bills are hosting the New England Patriots in Week 5 and we’ll get to see an old friend during the date. Stefon Diggs, a major factor in the emergence of the Bills as an NFL powerhouse, is wearing different shades of red and blue these days.
When he lines up against the Bills in his Patriots uniform, I hope Buffalo has a plan to account for him. Let’s take a look at his recent play…
Quality of competition is the name of the game for these opponent previews. Even when I focus on a single player though, we shouldn’t ignore their teammates. It was 3rd & 9 and Drake Maye was locked onto Stefon Diggs the entire way. On his end, Diggs ran short of the sticks and immediately turned for the ball. He immediately turned, but the ball isn’t waiting for him. As a result, the defenders closed in and stopped this short of the first down.
It’s a risky play design even if executed to perfection and Maye was a hair late on the delivery. Diggs had a chance with the ball coming out quicker but the delay sank it. It’s not just Diggs that’s a factor, some of this analysis will by design flirt with other aspects of the Patriots.
We’re used to seeing this. Stefon Diggs has always had fantastic brakes. The defender was playing to respect the route. When the route stopped, it was too late. Diggs gained RAC afterwards and easily converted. I also used to like pointing out how he was good at avoiding the big hits and that’s still true from the look of things.
Diggs knew the zone was going to be wide open and looked back in hopes the ball was coming his way. It did, and Diggs easily found yards between defenders. This looks like an insane gap by the defense, but after years of watching this angle I’ll go on record and say these exist more often than you might think. There’s skill in getting the ball at the right spot and time.
This has such big-play potential if executed. With just the catch, it’d be a first down. As it looks like it was intended, Diggs’ route carried him to the sideline and then up-field where a lead blocker was waiting to help spring the last block. The Patriots had the right play call at the right time. They just needed better play.
That looks a little familiar too. I’ve pretty sure I’ve seen that happen. Diggs can still plant and pivot and at this high of a level. I expect we’ll put someone with great athleticism on Diggs.
I prefer to end on fun notes for these articles and this is pretty fun.
I’m not going to fib here and tell everyone that Diggs...
