No part of the Buffalo Bills' 2020 season brings more anticipation than the beginning of the Josh Allen-to-Stefon Diggs connection.
The Bills traded a first round pick for Diggs, to ensure Allen had a true No. 1 wide receiver that could help him take the next step in becoming a long-term franchise quarterback.
Fans will finally get to see that connection through more than just training camp highlight montages when the season begins this Sunday against the New York Jets at Bills Stadium.
The matchup against New York's new-look secondary presents an excellent opportunity for Allen and Diggs to start off on the right foot. The Jets already were among the weaker defensive backs groups in the NFL last year, but after star safety Jamal Adams was traded to the Seattle Seahawks in the offseason, the Jets' defensive backfield became even more vulnerable.
On the team's first depth chart, the starting secondary looks as follows:
- CB - Bless Austin
- S - Bradley McDougald
- S - Marcus Maye
- CB - Pierre Desir
Austin and Desir have never started a full 16-game season in their careers. Austin appeared in just seven games during his rookie 2019 campaign, while Desir is a 30-year-old journeyman who found some stability with the Indianapolis Colts, starting 12 games in 2018 and 11 games in 2019.
To go up against Diggs, a top-tier route runner, deep threat, and overall wide receiver in their first game is a tough ask for anybody. Neither Desir or Austin present the kind of talent that should make anyone worried about Diggs getting shut down.
As long as Allen can accurately deliver the football, the Bills' primary passing connection should be in for a big season opener. Allen's ability to improve his accuracy, especially down the field, is one of the biggest keys to the Bills taking that next step as Super Bowl contenders. It was an area where he was among the league's least efficient passers in 2019.
The offense should test this Jets secondary early and often. Get that area of Allen's game going early in the season.
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