Prior to their first game together, Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs tempered the expectations, citing a lack of game time played together with the preseason canceled this year. It sounds like such a thing won’t be coming out of Diggs’ mouth any time soon in the future.
In their first outing as teammates, Diggs led the Bills in receiving with 86 yards on eight catches. But it was the eye test that did it for the wideout. After seeing Allen play for the first time as his teammate, he was sold by his attitude more than anything the QB did on the field.
“It’s exciting. He’s still got some kid in him, so when he’s out there, he’s out there having fun… and I enjoy it,” Diggs said via video conference. “When I’m out there I’m always in his ear trying to keep that positive energy going because I can’t imagine how hard it is playing quarterback. But when I see him out there having a good time… it gives me a little push in the back a little bit, a little motivation. You want to play for that guy, you want to go hard for that guy, because he’s damn sure going hard for you.”
The Jets weren’t exactly the highest benchmark for the Bills offense in their first game with Diggs, but positive strides are always welcome. Just like another with Allen, he had his first-career 300-plus yard passing game. On 33-for-46 passing, Allen had 312 yards. He struggled with fumbling issues, still… 300 yards was another positive.
A coincidence that Allen’s first 300 yarder comes with Diggs in the lineup?
From the quarterback himself, it sounds like no. Reflecting on throwing to Diggs for the first time in a game setting, Allen made mention of perhaps the biggest underlying factor with the new receiver. There’s a trickle-down effect in Buffalo’s offense.
While opposing defenses potentially lock-in on Diggs, there’s also John Brown to consider. With six catches for 70 yards and a touchdown of his own, both Brown and Diggs had big season-opening efforts.
Allen mentioned both guys playing big parts in his first time hitting 300 yards.
“They’re extremely smart football players. They know how to get open, they’re fun to play with. Not a lot of guys in this league can do what they do,” Allen said. “I really wouldn’t say we have a one and a two, we have two No. 1 [receivers].”
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