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Stefon Diggs is 30 yards away from a 1,000 yard season. It would be his seventh in eight years. Here's what he said.
Following the New England Patriots' resounding 42-10 triumph over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium, star wide receiver Stefon Diggs participated in a postgame press conference, offering insights into his individual performance and the team's impressive late-season surge. A standout moment from the game, even in a blowout, was Diggs's spectacular 31-yard sideline reception. This acrobatic catch, which saw him elevate over Jets cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers, drew effusive praise from teammate Kyle Williams, who described it as 'one of the best catches I’ve seen with my own two eyes.' Diggs, in a moment of humility and team spirit, gave a shout-out to Austin Hooper, acknowledging a similar 'hell of a catch' made by his teammate earlier in the season, before reiterating his personal goal: 'I’m just trying to make plays, man. It won’t be my last catch and hopefully we’ll watch it on tape and be like ‘alright, that was good.’' Diggs continued his strong form, achieving his second consecutive 100-yard receiving performance. He was highly efficient, hauling in all six of his targets for a total of 101 yards and securing a crucial touchdown. This productive day puts him just 30 receiving yards shy of reaching a significant career milestone: his seventh 1,000-yard season in an impressive eight years in the NFL. Despite these personal achievements and the team's dominant win, Diggs conveyed a sense of dissatisfaction, expressing frustration that he didn't fully 'squeeze the lemon' – a team adage for maximizing opportunities. He admitted to his teammates that he was 'a little mad at myself' for not getting 'more out of the opportunities that I did get,' reflecting a relentless pursuit of perfection. However, he quickly tempered this with gratitude, stating, 'entering this thing with gratitude. Throughout this season, I’ve approached it that way being in the mind-frame of being the best teammate that I can be. It’s turned a corner for me.' The Patriots' victory against the Jets was not just a win, but a statement, marking their 12th triumph in their last 13 games. This incredible run has propelled them to the top of the AFC East division, and they remain firmly in the hunt for the coveted AFC's top seed as the regular season approaches its final game. Head coach Mike Vrabel highlighted the indispensable contributions of key offensive players like Diggs and tight end Hunter Henry, emphasizing that 'your best players have to play good in order for you to win.' Both Diggs and Vrabel used the phrase 'unfinished business' to describe the team's collective mindset, especially with their remarkable 8-0 undefeated record on the road. Diggs elaborated on this philosophy, tracing its roots back to training camp where the team forged its identity and learned to 'band together' through initial challenges and close contests. He concluded with a confident outlook: 'Now that we fast forward to this point it’s carrying that identity and staying true to what we believe in, working hard and finishing. We’re on the right track, let’s just say that.'