The Buffalo Bills (10-6) have won four games in a row. The Bills can clinch the No. 2 seed in the AFC with a win over the Miami Dolphins (11-5) in Week 18.
The oddest aspect of the Bills’ recent success has been the absence of Stefon Diggs, the team’s No. 1 wide receiver.
Diggs played only 65% of the offensive snaps in the Bills’ 27-21 win over the New England Patriots. Bills head coach Sean McDermott confirmed Diggs is not injured, which makes the receivers’ diminished role even more baffling.
Diggs’ trainer, Myron Flowers, was queried about his client’s recent absence from the stat book. Since Week 12, the three-time Pro Bowler hasn’t had more than five catches or scored a touchdown. Josh [Allen] of the Buffalo Bills hasn’t thrown for more over 300 yards since then, either.
“It’s a unique situation because the team has had success with Diggs getting the ball and without,” Flowers said to FOX Sports Henry McKenna on January 1. “It’s about winning at this point, and he still has all the confidence in the world in his ability when his number is called.”
Flower’s remark echoes what Bills interim offensive coordinator Joe Brady said to reporters on Monday. While Diggs isn’t producing big plays, “at the end of the day, Stef wants to win football games…” He’s ready to go.”
While Brady claims he wants Diggs to be more involved, the $96 million star’s output continues to fall. Diggs played 87.4% of the offensive snaps in Weeks 1-10, averaging 10.2 targets and 7.3 catches for 86.8 yards. McKenna noted that Diggs played 63.3% of the snaps from Weeks 11 to 17, averaging 8.3 targets and 4.5 receptions for 38 yards.
According to the reporter, a follow-up question about Stefon Diggs’ lack of snaps was cut off.
McDermott was asked about Diggs’ use during a press conference on January 1. For many people, the only reasonable conclusion is that Diggs is suffering from an undetected injury. However, if that is the case, the Bills could face a large charge.
“Medically there’s nothing big to my knowledge that’s been ailing him,” McDermott said in an interview. “This is Josh going over reads and progressions… He hasn’t been engaged in as many games as we’d like in recent weeks. But we must continue to improve and discover production as we progress.”
Diggs, on the other hand, cannot be a part of the development if he is not on the field. “I think some plays are obviously tagged for other personnel groups,” McDermott said in a statement. “And some, Stef needs a rest right now.” So it’s most likely a mix of the two.” Tim Graham of The Athletic had a follow-up question, but the team’s PR put him on mute.
“I was just cut off from asking Sean McDermott a follow-up question about Stefon Diggs’ snap count/usage,” Graham wrote on his Facebook page. “Bills PR just wrapped up the Zoom conference….” My next question was going to be why [Khalil] Shakir has surpassed him and [Gabe] Davis is also out there more.”
There’s a brief pause in a video shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, before McDermott answers one more question and the presser concludes. “Bills [PR] unmute when it’s our turn, mute when they move along,” he said.
Stefon Diggs must perform well against the Dolphins in Week 18.
The Bills’ use of Diggs, according to The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia, is “abnormal,” because they haven’t entirely abandoned him. However, the team’s premier receiver being held to less than 50 yards for the sixth time in the last seven games is concerning.
“The best explanation is that they probably saw more value in keeping Diggs fresh while they were calling designed running plays,” Buscaglia said. “On only three of the 12 plays during those two series, the Bills used a designed pass play.” Whatever happens, getting Diggs ready for the postseason — assuming they make it — should be one of their top concerns in Week 18.”
Buffalo’s game against the Dolphins on Sunday Night Football could not be more important. If the Bills win, they will secure the AFC East for the fourth consecutive year and advance to the playoffs. Buffalo could be eliminated from the playoffs if they lose. The Bills will be eliminated if the Dolphins win, the Steelers beat the Ravens, and the Jaguars beat the Titans.
Despite fewer targets, Diggs has 100 receptions for 1,096 yards and eight touchdowns this season. If Allen and Diggs can get going against a depleted Dolphins defense, the Bills should win their sixth game in a row.
Leave a Reply