Buffalo Bills WR Stefon Diggs on Lack of Targets: 'It's Frustrating'
Stefon Diggs hasn’t been bashful about his lack of catches in recent games.
He's only caught 17 passes for 159 yards and one touchdown in the Buffalo Bills' last four games. He also hasn’t had a game with at least 100 receiving yards since the Bills’ 14-9 win against the New York Giants on Oct. 15. While Diggs noted that he knows his importance to the team, not getting the ball can take its toll on him.
“It's frustrating,” Diggs said. “I gotta do a lot of things to get open, and then a lot of things gotta go right to get the ball, so for me when it doesn't happen, of course, I'm frustrated. Y'all know how much of a competitor I am. I like to play at a high level and I always want it to happen. And even if it doesn't when it doesn't materialize, I definitely get a little discouraged at a moment, but then I shake gotta shake back because I know my team still needs me.”
Diggs added: "It's not because of me. Teams have been doing a good job [on defense]. I've just got to continue to make plays and spread the ball around. We've been winning so far."
Diggs had over 100 receiving yards in five of the Bills’ first six games.
Stefon Diggs vs. the Denver Broncos.
© Mark Konezny, USA TODAY
The Bills offense has had its ups and downs throughout the season. They’ve ranged from scoring over 37 points in three straight games from Week 2 through 4 to the unit's struggles afterward that led to former offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey being fired in November. Buffalo has scored over 31 points in two of its last three games with Joe Brady as the interim offensive coordinator, though that hasn’t led to more catches for Diggs, who has been targeted 11 times in back-to-back games and has 10 catches for 99 yards and a touchdown combined in those contests.
"More so when it comes down to targets, it's the quality of targets as well," Diggs said. "We've played some good teams, especially good defenses. I always anticipate seeing the best corner on the other side, and sometimes, even with the best corner, I get doubled. When it comes to respect, I align with respect. I feel like I'm one of the best receivers, if not the best receiver."
Diggs has 87 catches for 993 yards and eight touchdowns this season.
Big-time players want the ball in big situations. Diggs and every other elite receiver all have that in common. Even with the lack of catches, Diggs knows the ultimate goal is putting the team first and winning, and he and the Bills (7-6) find themselves where every game is a must-win if they want to make the playoffs for a fifth consecutive year.
"Down this stretch, we get to see what we're made of," Diggs said. "If you're a real competitor, this is what you want. It's not going to be easy. I feel like in the past, we were expected to win. Everybody wanted up to win the [Super] Bowl, everyone wanted us to go here, but at this point, everybody is like 'yeah they're a good team, we'll see how that goes.' I feel like that's a great spot to be in. I like being the underdog more than anything."
Buffalo faces the Dallas Cowboys (10-3) on Sunday at Highmark Stadium at 4:25 p.m. ET.
