The Buffalo Bills are riding high after a wild Week 15 comeback win over the New England Patriots - and for good reason. Down 24-7 at halftime, Buffalo flipped the script in the second half, outscoring New England 28-7 to walk away with a 35-31 victory.
It was a statement win, not just because of the scoreboard, but because of what it means for the AFC East race. With the division still up for grabs, the Bills are very much in the thick of it.
But while the Bills were surging, one of the biggest storylines heading into the game didn’t quite live up to the hype: Stefon Diggs’ return to face his former team. The veteran wideout, now in a Patriots uniform, was expected to be a major factor - especially after what he did the last time these two teams met.
Back in Week 5, Diggs had a classic “revenge game” moment in Orchard Park. He torched the Bills for 146 yards on 10 catches (off 12 targets), helping the Patriots secure a 23-20 win. That night, he looked like the Diggs of old - sharp off the line, explosive after the catch, and clearly motivated.
Fast forward to Week 15, and it was a completely different story. Diggs was nearly invisible: just 3 catches for 26 yards on 4 targets.
In fact, former Bills wideout Mack Hollins was more involved in the Patriots’ passing game than Diggs was. That’s not the kind of impact New England was hoping for from their top wideout in a pivotal divisional matchup.
So what happened?
Patriots analyst Greg A. Bedard offered a blunt assessment that’s raising eyebrows - but likely nods of agreement from Bills fans who’ve seen this before.
Speaking on Patriots on CLNS, Bedard didn’t mince words: “To me, he doesn’t look the same. If he gets pressed or guys get physical with him, he’s having a tough time running away from anybody.”
That’s the kind of comment that cuts deep, especially when it’s about a player who once thrived on separation and route-running precision. But it’s also a sentiment that’s been quietly building. Even during his final stretch in Buffalo, there were stretches where Diggs faded from games - not always due to coverage, but sometimes just a lack of impact.
And looking at his recent production since that Week 5 breakout? It’s been underwhelming.
Diggs has topped 100 receiving yards just once since then and has only seen five or more targets in four games. That’s a far cry from the volume he was used to commanding, and it raises real questions about his role in New England’s offense moving forward.
To be fair, the Patriots didn’t lose this game because of their passing attack - or lack thereof. They racked up 31 points largely on the ground, running all over the Bills' defense early and often. That ground game helped them build their lead, but when Buffalo clamped down in the second half and forced the Patriots to throw, the offense stalled - and Diggs wasn’t able to step up when they needed him most.
For the Bills, this win was about resilience and execution. For the Patriots, it was a gut-punch - and for Diggs, it may have been a reality check.
The physicality that once brought out his best is now exposing some cracks in his game. Whether that’s a short-term slump or a sign of something more permanent remains to be seen.
But one thing’s clear: in a game that was supposed to be about Stefon Diggs reminding Buffalo what they lost, it was the Bills who reminded him - and everyone else - what they’re still capable of.