Stefon Diggs Scores, Patriots Advance, and Cardi B Lets the NFL World Hear About It
The New England Patriots are back in the AFC Championship Game, and this time, they’ve got a little extra star power cheering them on. After a convincing divisional-round win over the Houston Texans, wide receiver Stefon Diggs and the Patriots are one step closer to the Super Bowl-and Diggs’ girlfriend, rapper Cardi B, made sure everyone knew just how fired up she was.
Following the game, Cardi B took to social media with a fiery response to a clip showing the entire NFL Live panel unanimously picking the Texans to win. The Grammy-winning rapper didn’t hold back, channeling the underdog energy that’s fueled this Patriots squad all season.
“THEY DIDN’T BELIEVE IN US!!! I LIIKE US!!!!
WE ALL WE GOT!!!! WE ALL WE NEED!!!!
#Patsnation,” she tweeted, echoing the kind of locker room rallying cry that’s become synonymous with playoff football.
And frankly, she had every reason to be hyped.
Patriots Keep Rolling Under Mike Vrabel
This Patriots team, now led by head coach Mike Vrabel, has been turning heads all season. After clinching the AFC East title, they handled business in the wild-card round with a 16-3 win over the Chargers. But Sunday’s victory over the Texans-who entered the postseason boasting the NFL’s top-ranked defense-was a different kind of statement.
New England’s offense found its rhythm, and the defense held its own against a Houston team that had been gaining momentum. The Patriots entered halftime with a 21-10 lead, thanks in part to a key moment from Diggs himself.
Diggs Delivers in the Postseason
Stefon Diggs, who signed a three-year, $63.5 million deal with New England last March, had a solid regular season-1,013 yards and four touchdowns across 17 games. But he’d been relatively quiet in the playoffs, logging just 16 yards on two catches in the win over the Chargers.
That changed late in the second quarter against Houston.
With 3:12 left before halftime, rookie quarterback Drake Maye found Diggs on a seven-yard touchdown pass, marking Diggs’ first postseason score as a Patriot. It was a moment that not only extended New England’s lead but also signaled that Diggs is finding his postseason groove at just the right time.
"We Kept Fighting": Diggs Speaks After the Win
After the final whistle, Diggs joined NFL reporter Jane Slater for a sideline interview and didn’t hold back his emotions.
“It mean everything to me,” Diggs said. “We played as a team.
We kept fighting, rolled on with the punches-the good and the bad. I’m so proud of this team.
Proud of Drake Maye. Proud of the defense.”
Diggs made sure to spotlight the Texans’ defense, which had been dominant all season.
“You got to give them a huge shoutout. They were the best defense in the league.
I know they don’t get a lot of praise, but they don’t get enough. I’m gonna give them all the praise,” he said.
“Offense came through when they needed to. Ran the ball effectively when we needed to.
I’m just proud of this team.”
That kind of team-first mentality has been a hallmark of the Patriots' resurgence under Vrabel. And with a young quarterback in Maye, a veteran leader like Diggs, and a defense that’s playing tough, this squad is starting to look like a serious contender.
Next Stop: Mile High
Now, the Patriots turn their attention to the AFC Championship Game, where they’ll face the Denver Broncos. Sean Payton’s group is coming off a dramatic 33-30 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills, and they’ll be riding high heading into the matchup.
But so will New England.
The Patriots are playing with confidence, chemistry, and a chip on their shoulder-and judging by the reactions from both the locker room and Cardi B’s Twitter feed, they’re not done yet.