Terps in the NFL: Stefon Diggs torches Steelers’ defense in monster performance

In what seems to be a recurring trend this season, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs posted yet another explosive performance in Week 14 of the NFL season, leading Buffalo’s offense in the team’s 26-15 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The former Maryland standout had one of his best performances of the 2020 NFL season on Sunday night, recording 130 receiving yards and a touchdown on 10 receptions.

Despite starting off slowly in Sunday’s contest, Diggs gradually started to pick things up towards the end of the first half, as he shook off two defenders and weaved his way through the Pittsburgh secondary for a gain of 23 yards.

The impressive catch and run by Diggs allowed the Bills to get in field goal range and score their first points of the game, closing the gap on Pittsburgh’s lead to 7-3. Buffalo proceeded to take the lead during Pittsburgh’s next possession thanks to a pick-six from Taron Johnson.

Although Diggs’ 23-yard gain helped the Bill’s score their first points of the game during the second quarter, the former Terp really made his mark once the second half began.

In the opening drive of the third quarter, Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen connected with the Maryland standout on three out of four completed passes as the Bills stormed from their own 32 yard line to Pittsburgh’s 20.

The drive culminated in Allen throwing to Diggs yet again, who proceeded to run and dive the ball into the end zone for his first score of the game.

The touchdown was the Gaithersburg native’s fifth of the season, and gave Buffalo a 16-7 lead over Pittsburgh following the extra point make.

Following his end zone conversion, Diggs added 50 more receiving yards off three catches, as the Bills would eventually secure the win over the Steelers, 26-15.

Aside from handing the Steelers their second loss of the season, Diggs had plenty of reasons to celebrate. The sixth year wideout set a new career-high for receiving yards in a single season with 1167, surpassing his previous record of 1130 in 2019.

Diggs now sits in third place for total receiving yards this season, trailing only Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs (1250) and DK Metcalf of the Seattle Seahawks (1180).

In addition setting a new career high, Diggs’ 10 catches on Sunday catapulted him atop the NFL leaderboard for receptions with 100, passing Los Angeles Chargers receiver Keenan Allen (99).

As Buffalo prepares for a Week 15 matchup against the Broncos, Diggs will surely look to continue his current momentum and take advantage of Denver’s struggling defense.

Other Performers

• Despite failing to extend his interception streak to three games, Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage Jr. had plenty to be happy about in Sunday’s 31-24 win over the Detroit Lions. The sophomore defenseman tallied a game-high 8 tackles, which was also career high for tackles in a single game for Savage. On top of that, the former Terp also recorded his first career sack, tackling Lions Quarterback Matthew Stafford for a loss of 10 yards.

• Baltimore Ravens defensive end Yannick Ngakoue recorded one tackle for loss in a close 45-42 win over the Cleveland Browns on Monday night.
• Coming off a breakout performance in Week 13 in which he rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown, New York Jets running back Ty Johnson only managed 16 rushing yards on eight attempts in a blowout 3-40 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
• Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson had an unusually quiet game on Sunday, recording just two tackles in New England’s 3-24 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
• Former Terp and fellow New England Patriot Byron Cowart recorded his first career sack in the blowout loss to Los Angeles, sacking Rams quarterback Jared Goff for a five yard loss. Cowart finished the game with two tackles.
• Although Carolina receiver D.J. Moore did not play this week, fellow Maryland alumnus and Panthers linebacker Jermaine Carter Jr. had a solid week, recording one assist and a career-high four solo tackles in Sunday’s 27-32 loss to the Broncos.
• In Sunday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Sean Davis recorded one tackle on special teams. Defensive back Antoine Brooks Jr. did not play, while running back Anthony McFarland and offensive tackle Derwin Grey were not activate for the game.
• Chicago Bears linebacker Josh Woods joined the list of former Terps with career firsts this past week, recording his first ever fumble recovery to pair with two tackles in a 36-7 win blowout over the Houston Texans.
• Washington Football Team running back Javon Leake played six snaps with special teams in a 23-15 win over the San Francisco 49ers, but failed to record a stat.