Stefon Diggs is a safe bet for a productive game this week in Miami even against the Dolphin’s stealthy secondary. He has history, speed, and the supporting cast on his side.
Stefon Diggs gave us an underwhelming showing last week against Pittsburgh. But it was only disappointing because we’re talking about Stefon Diggs. A nine reception, nearly 70-yard game would be decent for another wide receiver. If that, and his supposedly daunting matchup against cornerback Xavien Howard, has you fading him this week, think again.
Stefon Diggs’ Recent History
Let’s bring up the not-so-distant past. We saw two somewhat different Diggses last season in divisional games against Miami. He absolutely torched them in Week Two for eight catches, 153 yards, and a touchdown, but Diggs’ Week 17 showing was scoreless with seventy-six yards on seven receptions. That first game between them was Digg’s second highest scoring game of the season. He had seven games over 100 yards last year.
Xavien Howard vs. Stefon Diggs
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Dolphin’s defense looked damn good last week. But they faced a rookie quarterback and sub-par receiving corp. Howard was ranked 4th in PFF’s best outside cornerbacks coming into the season. Still, it was Howard who primarily covered Diggs in both the divisional games last season, not just the second one where Diggs was held scoreless. And he didn’t do a very good job. It counts for a lot that Diggs is quite a bit faster than Howard; speed is the major advantage here.
Buffalo Bills Offensive Overload
Josh Allen averaged 320 yards and a quarterback rating of 134.5 against the Dolphins last year. Emmanuel Sanders and Cole Beasley combined for 21 targets last week, which should ensure notable corner Byron Jones stays busy enough to leave Diggs singly manned. Allen threw the ball 51 times last week, only three other teams had more pass attempts. While that number is likely to decline against any team other than the Steelers, who’s defensive line can obliterate a run game, Allen will still be throwing plenty. Buffalo averaged 38 pass attempts per game last season.
We may have been scratching our heads wondering what happened to the Bills after last week’s ho-hum show, but the Bills didn’t lose an AFC East matchup last year. The rebound Sunday is going to be dynamite. Diggs is going to have his first monster game of the season, and it will probably be sooner rather than later.
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