The New England Patriots are riding high after securing a Wild Card victory, but the focus has already pivoted sharply to their next challenge: a Divisional Round clash against the surging Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. In the NFL playoffs, matchups often hinge on neutralizing the opponent's primary weapon, and for the Patriots, that weapon is unequivocally wide receiver Stefon Diggs. The central question looming over Foxborough this week isn't just if Diggs is playing, but rather how the Texans will attempt to stop him.
The Stefon Diggs Effect: A New Dimension for the Patriots
Since his arrival in late March on a significant three-year deal, Stefon Diggs has transformed the Patriots' passing attack. He instantly provided the elite, number-one receiver presence the team had desperately sought, becoming the first Patriots receiver since 2019 to surpass the 1,000-yard receiving mark. His consistent high-level production has forced opposing defensive coordinators to dedicate significant resources to containing him.
Wild Card Lessons Learned
This attention was acutely visible in the previous week's win against the Los Angeles Chargers. Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter prioritized taking away Diggs, often employing double coverage or bracket schemes right off the line of scrimmage. This tactical decision resulted in a relatively quiet day for the four-time Pro Bowler: just two receptions for 19 yards on five targets.
However, as wide receivers coach Todd Downing noted, this extra attention creates necessary opportunities elsewhere. “He knows that if that leads to us scoring points and winning, then we get to keep playing,” Downing explained. The Patriots offense adjusted, and their supporting cast stepped up, leading to a crucial 16-3 victory and ensuring their spot in the Divisional Round. Diggs’ quiet day was, paradoxically, a sign of his success in drawing defensive gravity.
Preparing for the Texans' Elite Defense
The task now becomes significantly more daunting. The Patriots welcome the Houston Texans, a team riding a remarkable 10-game winning streak, anchored by one of the league's top-ranked defenses. Based on their performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round, the Texans are not shy about deploying aggressive coverage strategies against premier receivers.
Mirroring the Blueprint?
During their win, Houston’s defense showed a willingness to send extra defenders toward top receiver D.K. Metcalf, particularly when he aligned inside—a common alignment area for Diggs within the Patriots’ offensive structure this season. It is highly probable that the Texans have studied the Chargers' blueprint and will look to replicate that suffocating coverage.
This sets up a fascinating chess match between offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and Houston’s defensive leadership. If Diggs faces similar double teams, the Patriots must be prepared to exploit the resultant one-on-one matchups across the field. Conversely, Downing hinted at proactive adjustments: “You can handle that a lot of different ways. You can put different guys in that spot to run those routes or you can move to it different ways. A lot of different ways you can try to hide what your intentions are.”
Diggs' Personal Motivation Against Familiar Foe
For Stefon Diggs, this matchup carries an extra layer of significance. Having spent time in Houston previously, he is intimately familiar with many of the defensive personnel he will face. This familiarity could be an advantage, allowing him to anticipate coverage shifts.
“I spent some time there myself, so I’m a little bit familiar with those guys,” Diggs commented. He acknowledged the scale of the challenge: “That’s going to be the best defense we’ve seen all year… It’s going to definitely be a task for us — a challenge that I know we all look forward too.” Diggs already proved he can succeed against a former team earlier this season, posting a 100-yard performance in his return to Buffalo. Replicating that success now is critical for New England’s aspirations of reaching the AFC Championship Game.
The Bottom Line: Diggs is Playing, But How Effectively?
To answer the immediate question: Yes, Stefon Diggs is expected to play today, barring any unforeseen late-breaking injury news. His presence is confirmed, and his role is central. The narrative of the day will not be his availability, but his ability to overcome an anticipated defensive siege. If the Texans commit heavily to stopping him, the Patriots' chances hinge on their secondary receivers capitalizing on the vacated space. If Diggs can break through the double teams, New England has the offensive firepower to upset the high-flying Texans and continue their unlikely playoff run.
