Patriots player spotlight: Stefon Diggs Shines in Primetime against Buffalo

Joseph McLaughlin
Oct 10
3 min read

Photo Caption: Stefon Diggs evading a tackle in New England’s 23-20 win over the Buffalo Bills on October 5, 2025. Photo Credit: Adrian Kraus/AP Photo.

Buffalo, NY — The Patriots found themselves down 10-6 halfway through the third quarter in their primetime matchup against the unbeaten Buffalo Bills. The goal was to answer Buffalo’s six-yard touchdown catch by Curtis Samuel as quickly as possible.

With a drive created and momentum built, the Pats found themselves in the Bills’ territory. However, Buffalo’s defense began to stall New England in its tracks. It was second down, nine yards to go, and New England needed a big play to keep things moving.

The ball was snapped, and quarterback Drake Maye rolled out of a collapsed pocket. He started to improvise and navigated traffic downfield, looking for a target who could make a huge play. That is where he saw receiver Stefon Diggs make a hard cut to the near sideline, an opportunity for the Patriots.

Maye heaved the ball down the field and perfectly in the arms of Diggs, who dove out to complete the 32-yard catch that set up a Rhamondre Stevenson rushing touchdown to take the lead in an eventual 23-20 win for the Patriots.

“Diggsy [Stefon Diggs] just came up big all night and was able to do some things after the catch, too, which was good,” said New England Patriots Head Coach Mike Vrabel postgame.

It was a special game for Diggs. He not only had his best game of the season with 10 catches for 146 yards, but it was also his first time in Buffalo since his departure from the Bills in 2024.

From the start of the game, he played with emotion. He had nostalgic memories of his time in Buffalo, but also played with a personal chip on his shoulder, hoping to get back at his former team.

“100%,” said Diggs postgame on whether or not the game was personal to him. “Obviously I love those guys, still have a great relationship with those guys, I have a lot of respect for them, but I love the game of football more. Every time I go out here, I try to prove it, not only to them but to myself.”

Diggs also wanted to prove that the Patriots are here to stay. A road primetime win against the last undefeated team left in the league, that happened to be in their division, was the exclamation point of a statement that the Pats have played with all season; play together and play hard.

“I am just so excited,” said Diggs. “Obviously, this game has a way of teaching you a lot of things. I told everybody at the beginning of the game, band together, lean on your brother. I am just so proud of these guys.”

Diggs started out the season quiet, with Maye relying on tight end Hunter Henry for most of the offensive production in the passing game. However, as time went on, both Maye and Diggs have developed good chemistry and it was put on display in primetime.

“They can’t stop us,” said Maye. “I try and get these guys the football and trying to keep positive plays. Their defense played great but what a night.”

Diggs was signed by the New England Patriots on March 28 with the intention of him being the No. 1 receiver. Receiving depth had been thin on the Patriots in recent years and any addition to it was welcomed.

Yet, many were skeptical of how Diggs would fare. He did tear his ACL in Week 8 of the 2024 season with the Houston Texans, making many question his explosiveness post-recovery.

It is safe to say that he silenced the critics in Sunday’s performance and now him and the Pats look ahead to keep the momentum going. New England has an easier stretch to their schedule the next four weeks, creating an opportunity for the Patriots to be 7-2 by week 10.

However, they will need to keep up the hard work, connective play, and chemistry that Diggs and Maye showed on their 32-yard connection. If they can do that, the sky is the limit for this young and hungry Patriots team.