The New England Patriots are staring down one of their biggest games of the season - and wide receiver Stefon Diggs knows exactly what’s on the line. Beat the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, and the Patriots won’t just notch another win - they’ll clinch the AFC East for the first time since 2019. That’s not just a statement; it’s a milestone.
But don’t expect this team to get ahead of itself. The approach in Foxborough remains steady: one game at a time, no matter the stakes.
Diggs has already made a major impact in this rivalry once this season. Back in Week 5, he torched the Bills for 10 catches and 146 yards in what turned into a signature upset win for New England.
That kind of performance wasn’t just impressive - it was pivotal. And if the Patriots are going to pull off the sweep against Josh Allen and a Bills team fighting to stay alive in the playoff race, they’ll likely need another big day from their No. 1 receiver.
“It’s exciting when you have a lot to prove and are playing with that edge and you’re playing aggressively,” Diggs said this week. “Nobody believed in us but us.
The record is surprising to everybody. All we did is take it one game at a time, and I think we’ll do the same thing.”
That mindset has fueled a remarkable run. The Patriots have rattled off 10 straight wins, and while some critics have pointed to the strength of schedule, that narrative could get buried if New England takes down Buffalo once again - especially with the snow falling at Gillette Stadium, adding another layer of intrigue (and unpredictability) to this AFC showdown.
The weather could be a factor. Snow games tend to favor the more physical, disciplined team - and that’s been New England’s identity during this stretch. Their defense has tightened up, the run game has found rhythm, and the offense has leaned on timely execution rather than flash.
But make no mistake: the Bills are coming in with urgency. They need this win to stay in the playoff conversation, and Allen has a history of delivering in big moments. That sets the stage for a high-stakes battle between two teams with everything to play for - one trying to stay on top, the other trying to claw its way back in.
If Diggs can replicate his earlier performance, and if the Patriots can weather both the literal and figurative storm, this team could be walking off the field Sunday not just with a win, but with the AFC East crown back where it used to live - in Foxborough.