Finally the go-to receiver, Diggs delivers for Bills

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — With his name plastered on election campaign-style lawns signs — “Allen-Diggs 2020” — popping up across Buffalo, receiver Stefon Diggs requires no further introduction.

And yet, cornerback Tre’Davious White playfully decided one was necessary upon ending his Zoom call with reporters and Diggs waiting in the wings.

“The next person that is coming, y’all know who it is,” White began. “Rolls’ Royce-driving, private jet-flying, All-Pro first team. The most receptions, the most yards in Buffalo Bills history. The first receiver to go first-team All-Pro in the organization’s history: Stefon Diggs.”

The receiver could be heard off camera laughing and jokingly saying, “Get out of my seat.”

In his first season in Buffalo, and after five in Minnesota where he played mostly a secondary role behind receiver Adam Thielen and running back Dalvin Cook, Diggs has arrived.

Acquired for a first-round draft pick in a trade in March, Diggs has become the focus of a dynamically productive Josh Allen-led offense that had Buffalo setting team records in yards passing, points and touchdowns while winning its first AFC East title in 25 years.

On Sunday, the Bills (15-3) make their first AFC championship game appearance since 1994, traveling to face the top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs (15-2).

For Diggs, it will mark his second time playing for a conference championship after the Vikings lost to Philadelphia in 2018 but the first in which he is his team’s top threat.

“I ain’t one of those people who’s going to lie,” Diggs said, dismissing a question of this being just another game. “For me, I know it’s a big game. Come out and give it everything you’ve got.”

Diggs has done a fine job in a season in which he led the NFL with 127 catches and 1,535 yards and followed that with 14 catches for 234 yards in two postseason victories. He joined Hall of Famer James Lofton in becoming Buffalo’s second player with consecutive 100-yard-receiving games in the same playoff year.

Despite the lack of an offseason, Diggs established almost instant chemistry with Allen and used his shiftiness and speed in proving to be nearly un-guardable against opponents.

“His stats, his film, his confidence, his swag, he’s just one of the best,” Bills safety Micah Hyde said, in comparing Diggs with Hyde’s former Green Bay Packers teammate, Davante Adams. “These guys, when they have confidence and they know they’re good, nobody is stopping them.”

Diggs regularly deflects attention to Allen and his fellow receivers: Cole Beasley, John Brown, Isaiah McKenzie and rookie Gabriel Davis.

“We don’t care who gets the credit, but it’s more guys pulling for each other,” Diggs said. “So no matter who’s getting the success, we’re pushing those guys, and we want them to eat some more.”