In a second consecutive complete team victory, the Dallas Cowboys used a strong third quarter to eventually dispatch the Carolina Panthers 36-28 in a Week 4 win. Second-year standout corner Trevon Diggs returned to the spot light this week, a place he is becoming very accustomed to. After a quiet first half, always a good thing for corners, Diggs came alive in the second half for the second week in a row. On back-to-back drives in the third quarter Diggs ended the Panthers’s hopes with interceptions, capturing his fourth and fifth picks on this young season.
On the first interception, Diggs was covering Robbie Anderson, who had been an afterthought to the Panthers’ offense so far this season. Playing in zone coverage, Diggs cut underneath Anderson as he came across the field, reading QB Sam Darnold’s eyes the whole way. Anderson was looking for the ball over the wrong shoulder but Diggs was in the right place with perfect anticipation to match his wide-receiver-worthy hands.
Trevon Diggs has an INT in each of four games this season. Whatever Aaiden is saying in his pre-game pep talks is working.pic.twitter.com/jcr9f2oFDH
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) October 3, 2021
The second interception was similar to his pick last week against Jalen Hurts and the Eagles, however, Diggs had to battle with the receiver at the catch point and ultimately came down with the ball after a tussle.
Trevon Diggs now has 5 interceptions in just 4 games 🔒
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/FepqbUNCrL
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 3, 2021
The Cowboys scored a touchdown after the first pick and a field goal after the second to boost their second-half lead to an insumountable level.
As well as showcasing his elite level ball skills for the position, he also racked up four tackles as his tackling technique continues to improve.
Diggs saw next to no acton in the fourth quarter as the Cowboys gave up multiple scores. Originally labeled as game management, after the contest the team revealed he suffered from some back tightness. The scores brought the Panthers back within striking distance, showing the importance of having him on the field. It seemed to be all smiles and laughs on the sideline, confirming HC Mike McCarthy’s claims that it was just precautionary.
The accolades are starting to roll in for the second-round pick from 2020.
With 2 interceptions today, @TrevonDiggs is the 4th player since 1990 and 1st player in @dallascowboys history with an interception in each of his team's 1st 4 games of a season. pic.twitter.com/yk6ByeqnRg
— NFL345 (@NFL345) October 3, 2021
Trevon Diggs is one of six corners in the Super Bowl era with eight interceptions through his first 16 games.
The others:
Marcus Peters
Anthony Henry
Lionel Washington
Everson Walls
Mike Haynes— Bobby Belt (@BobbyBeltTX) October 3, 2021
Trevon Diggs is the first player in NFL history with five interceptions in the first four games of a regular season against non-replacement players. (Reggie Sutton did it during the 1987 strike.)
— AdamJT13 (@AdamJT13) October 3, 2021