The New England Patriots are riding high after a gritty 16-3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC Wild Card round. But if they want to keep this postseason run alive, things are about to get a whole lot tougher.
Next up? A road trip to face a red-hot Houston Texans squad in the Divisional Round - and this defense doesn’t mess around.
For rookie quarterback Drake Maye, it’s another test in what’s already been a rapid-fire NFL education. He managed the game well against the Chargers, but the Texans bring a different level of speed and complexity on defense. If Maye is going to notch his second playoff win in as many starts, he’s going to need help - and that help might come in the form of a battle-tested veteran who’s been here before.
Enter Stefon Diggs.
At 32 years old, Diggs has been a steadying force in New England’s offense all season. After a torn ACL cut his 2025 campaign short with the Texans, Diggs made the move to Foxborough and hasn’t looked back.
He led the team in both receptions (85) and receiving yards (1,013), marking his seventh 1,000-yard season in as many full NFL seasons. That kind of consistency doesn’t happen by accident - it’s the product of elite route running, savvy football IQ, and a knack for making big plays when it matters most.
Diggs was relatively quiet in the Wild Card win, finishing with just two catches for 16 yards. But don’t let that fool you - Houston isn’t taking him lightly.
“Stef has done a great job there in New England. He’s very quarterback-friendly, which he’s been his entire career,” Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said this week.
“He’s very explosive after he catches the football. So, another guy we have to make sure we have our eyes on.”
That’s the thing about Diggs - even when he’s not lighting up the stat sheet, his presence changes the way defenses line up. He commands attention, opens up space for other receivers, and gives a young quarterback like Maye a reliable safety valve when the pressure’s on.
And when it comes to the postseason, Diggs’ resume speaks for itself. He currently ranks 23rd all-time in playoff receiving yards and 15th in postseason receptions - numbers that put him in some pretty elite company. He’s been a difference-maker in January before, and the Patriots are counting on him to do it again.
So as the Patriots gear up for a showdown with a Texans team that’s been one of the league’s best stories this season, keep an eye on No. 14. If New England is going to pull off the upset, there's a good chance Diggs will be right in the middle of it - doing what he’s always done: getting open, making plays, and showing why he’s still one of the most dangerous weapons in the league when the lights are brightest.