FOXBOROUGH – “Prime time is my time.”
That’s what Stefon Diggs reminded the assembled media following his spectacular performance against the Baltimore Ravens during the Patriots playoff-clinching win Sunday night.
Given he’s chalked up 16 career 100-yard receiving yards in prime time, it’s hard to argue with his assessment.
Diggs has lived up to those words. While in New England, his two best games this season came in prime time contests against Buffalo and Baltimore.
Moving forward, the Patriots are going to need more of the same.
Drake Maye needs Diggs to tweak his motto to something more along the lines of playoff time being his time, especially if some of the games don’t fall during the prime time window.
As Patriots coach Mike Vrabel has said repeatedly, he needs his best players to play well to win. That means day time, night time, or whenever the Patriots have a game.
Diggs really can’t be selective about taking his play to a higher level. He can’t wait for the bright lights.
That said, seeing how he’s able to turn it on in the bigger games, it’s easy to believe he’ll rise to the occasion when the playoffs start.
Even at age 32, coming off an ACL injury, Diggs can still impact a game. He has elite hands, is great at finding space in zone coverage, and can still beat man-defenders with his speed on crossers.
He’s still a player Maye is going to look to and count on in those gotta have it moments in games. Against the Ravens, whether it was third down, or fourth down, man coverage or zone, Diggs delivered.
His 9-catch, 138-yard effort was a godsend for Maye and the Patriots Sunday night. He not only made plays, but delivered explosive plays in those clutch moments.
Let’s relive a few of those.
Second quarter, third-and-three from the Patriots 22-yard-line. Diggs gained enough separation on a crosser, that Maye hit him in stride for a 33-yard reception.
Third quarter, third-and-14 from the 21. Diggs moved the sticks, pulling in a pass for a 23-yard gain.
Fourth quarter, 4th-and-2 from the Ravens 48 with the game literally weighing in the balance. Diggs not only satisfied the necessary yards to gain, he produced a 21-yard catch and run.
Julian Edelman used to be that dependable outlet for Tom Brady. So was Wes Welker.
For much of the year, Diggs has been that familiar go-to-guy for Maye, who was certainly appreciative of his top receiver’s efforts against the Ravens.
“You have no idea what he means to this team. He’s a leader. He’s been great in the locker room. He wants the football in his hand, and deservingly so,” Maye said. “He just keeps showing up and making plays. He’s doing it at a really high level. He’s just bouncing back and vocal, and he’s awesome to play with.”
It’s important for Maye to have a few players he can count on in a pinch to make plays. Along with Diggs, Hunter Henry and Mack Hollins have also been key contributors moving the chains on third down. Or in those gotta-have-it moments that can make or break a team.
Diggs, however, leads the team in receptions (76), and yards (869). He also seems like the first-option on those critical plays.
While he wasn’t nearly as impactful the last three games, Diggs clearly stepped it up against the Ravens.
On Wednesday, during his media session, Diggs said he likes being a guy Maye can depend on in those gotta have it moments.
“I’m happy to be in a spot where I’ve earned his trust,” Diggs said. “I’ve got to continue to earn that trust. It’s not done yet. We got a lot more football to go.”
There’s two final regular season games left with the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins. The Jets are up first on Sunday.
Diggs said the team was aiming for “a lot more” than just making the playoffs. He also didn’t want them to let down and get complacent during the close of the regular season.
He wanted the Patriots keep their foot on the pedal, and head into the postseason “hitting on all cylinders.”
He took the lead in Baltimore. He’ll need to do that again come January when the playoff bullets start to fly.
