Foxborough, Mass. (WEEI/WGR Sports Radio 550) - Wide receiver Stefon Diggs is hoping to ride the momentum off his first 100-plus-yard game into familiar – if hostile – territory, as the New England Patriots get ready to visit the undefeated Buffalo Bills on Sunday night in Orchard Park.
"It is a huge thing for me. I’ve got a lot of respect, and a lot of love for that city, and the fanbase and players over there," Diggs said at his locker on Wednesday.
Diggs spent four seasons with the Bills before a trade sent him to the Houston Texans following the 2023 season. In Houston, Diggs tore his ACL halfway through the year.
Sunday will be his first time back in Buffalo since he wore blue and red for New England’s divisional rival.
"It’s going to be a little bit emotional," he acknowledged. "I’m going to try to keep the main thing, the main thing, but it’s my first time back there. It’s going to be a hell of an atmosphere. I played there a long time.
"Obviously, I miss those guys over there. You spend a lot of time with people, it becomes more personal than professional."
Diggs' production within Josh McDaniels’ offense made all the difference in Week 4, as the Patriots posted 42 points and he had a breakout game against the Carolina Panthers.
But he sees "clean football" as the big point of progress from Week 3. New England had five turnovers against the Pittsburgh Steelers before facing the Panthers, against whom they were turnover-free.
"I think we got a lot of bad stuff out in the beginning. We fell on our face a couple times, [with] self-inflicted wounds and penalties," Diggs said. "Even on the outside, with us, like everybody doing their job? You see the recipe works when everybody’s doing their specific job and playing clean football."
It will be fascinating to see whether Diggs’ emotions will propel him to another strong game, which they Patriots need if they want to hang with the Bills on Sunday, or whether Buffalo’s own familiarity with Diggs’ strengths and weaknesses will be a bigger factor working against him. Diggs refrains from trying to share his perspective too much on what the team does on offense or defense, leaving the “X’s and O’s” to the coaching staff.
In his four seasons with the Bills from 2020-23, Diggs played a vital role in the development of quarterback Josh Allen, reeling in 445 passes on 644 targets for 5,372 yards and 37 touchdowns. In nine playoff games with the Bills, Diggs caught 47 passes for 600 yards and two touchdowns.
Perhaps the biggest similarity between his years in Buffalo and early in this New England stint is the quarterback style. Pundits have compared Patriots quarterback Drake Maye to the 2024 league MVP, since the pre-draft process in 2024. At 23, Maye is just a year younger than Allen was (24) when Diggs joined the Bills.
Both guys are big, athletic gunslingers who can be naturally prone to turnovers.
"I was with a young Josh, obviously, he wasn’t that young. I’m with a young Drake now. I see the similarities," Diggs said. "I try not to get into player comparisons at all. They’re two different young men. But I see why they say that, they play with that similar mindset – that dog mindset. I see Drake coming along the same way."
Diggs has been all business since the season’s start, but he said he’ll cross AFC East enemy lines for, at least, a moment Sunday
"It’s just going to be so nice to see those guys for me," he said, adding, "I’m going to give them a big hug."
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