FOXBORO — By almost every metric, the Saints are worse football team than the Bills.
Win-loss record, points allowed, points scored, yards, you name it.
Just don’t tell the Patriots.
Several veteran players, including Stefon Diggs, stressed Wednesday they cannot let up after their big win at Buffalo last Sunday. Diggs went as far as to say this weekend’s game at New Orleans might be tougher than facing the Bills.
“They’re very skillful up front, and in the (secondary), to be honest, (they) might be a bigger test than last week,” Diggs said in the locker room. “Just as far as having success and being able to replicate that process, do it all over again; work equally hard (with) attention to detail and focus. Because this opponent, I know their record doesn’t say it, but that’s a good football team.
Diggs detailed the approach he said the Patriots must take to Sunday’s game, and almost guaranteed New Orleans (1-4) may try to surprise them.
“Going in poised, prepared and understanding that there is going to be some adversity. There’s going to be a curveball. One-hundred percent,” he said. “Every team does it. It doesn’t matter who you play, they’re going to show you something different they might not have shown on film. So just going in with that mindset of being poised and having a real plan.”
Defensively, the Patriots game-planned the Bills perfectly, holding Josh Allen and Co. 10 points below their season average. Defensive tackle Khyris Tonga factored heavily into that plan, as the nose tackle in a new 3-4 front the coaching staff unveiled that Sunday. The shift to heavier personnel helped the Pats control Buffalo’s league-leading run game and limit the Bills to just three points at halftime.
Not that Tonga is still celebrating. Echoing Diggs, the 29-year-old veteran said the Patriots have to move on.
“That’s the thing about the league: you’ve got to prove it every single week. So, that’s the mentality,” Tonga said. “Like, it was a good win. But that was last week’s win. It’s a whole new week, a whole new monster.”
Diggs’ chemistry with Maye improving
Diggs and quarterback Drake Maye started practicing together just five months ago.
Diggs caught passes exclusively in drills last spring, then against live defense starting in training camp. By the time Diggs reached the regular season, his chemistry with Maye couldn’t quite bloom yet. They had lost too much time together in the offseason, while Diggs split his time between practice and rehabbing from an ACL tear.
But now, the whole league can see they’re up to speed.
Diggs is among the NFL’s leaders in receiving yards, thanks to back-to-back 100-yard games in big Patriots wins. His 146 yards at Buffalo last Sunday night were the most recorded by a Pats receiver in more than three years. Diggs is now looking ahead to New Orleans, where the Patriots will travel this weekend as slight road favorites.
Judging by his latest comments, Diggs and Maye might have more in store for opponents as soon as Sunday.
“I think (there’s) a lot of room for growth,” Diggs said Wednesday at his locker. “Being on the same page isn’t just a one-game thing. It’s (working) back in practice this week. So, we’ve got a long way to go. I look forward to it.”
Through five games, Diggs is the Patriots’ top receiver by almost every metric. He leads them in targets (34), catches (29), receiving yards (387) and first downs (17). Across the NFL, Diggs has the second-highest catch rate among wide receivers who have seen at least 20 targets this season, per Sports Info. Solutions.
That reflects directly on his chemistry with Maye, who has repeatedly found him in critical situations because of his ability to exploit soft spots in zone coverage.
“Finding the zone (holes) is where the league is,” Diggs said. “Now, (there’s) not too much man-to-man coverage. There’s still sprinkles here and there. But being able to know where you are, and having a plan — it’s just playing football. I try not to make things overcomplicated. It’s like we’re still in the backyard.”
Last week against the Bills, Maye targeted Diggs on five third-down plays and started four drives by throwing in his direction. Maye has repeatedly said he feels compelled to get Diggs the ball more. The past two weeks, that extra attention has paid off.
Gibson’s words inspired his replacement with Patriots
Expect Terrell Jennings to get the first crack at replacing injured running back Antonio Gibson in the Patriots’ offense.
Jennings, who’s currently on the practice squad, said he is “definitely” ready to play if he’s elevated from the practice squad to play the Saints this week.
“I train every day. I’m sitting in the meeting rooms with all the guys every day, so it’s not really a difference,” Jennings said. “I’m ready when my number is called always.”
Jennings called it an “exciting” opportunity, despite his teammate and good friend’s season-ending knee injury.
The Florida A&M product played in three games last season, running the ball 13 times for 33 yards with one target in the passing game. He also played 18 snaps on special teams.
“I get to go out there and show the world how I can play, actually, and show them how I’m a great teammate, as well,” Jennings said. “So that’s definitely a great opportunity.”
Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson will remain the Patriots’ top running backs, but Gibson also saw plenty of opportunities on offense and as a kick returner as the team’s third option out of the backfield.
Gibson played 52 snaps before suffering a torn ACL, carrying the ball 25 times for 106 yards with a touchdown and adding two catches for 6 yards.
“Me and Antonio is actually really close,” Jennings said. “That’s my locker buddy, as well. He told me that just, ‘it’s your time, man. Just come on. It’s time to go.’ And I took that hard because that’s my brother. I’m with him every day, and to see him go down like that, it hurt me to the core. So, I would be wrong if I don’t go out there and do my job to uphold his standard.”
Mike Vrabel sees a player with “toughness” in Jennings. The Patriots head coach also said he’s seen Jennings improve in practice.
Jennings said he’s improved by doing the little things in practice, and he’s appreciative of the coaching staff for pushing those elements of the game.
“That helped me remember that, ‘oh, I got to take this step, or I got to just pay attention to the small things.’ And it’s eventually helped me to the point where I’m at now,” Jennings said.
The Patriots have been using their running backs as kick returners so far this season. Gibson was a star in Week 2 when he returned a kick 90 yards for a touchdown.
Jennings acknowledged Wednesday that he can help to return kicks and play in punt coverage and punt return, as well. He returned three kicks for 52 yards in college.
He was asked about his play style on offense, as well.
“Just downhill physicality, physical runs. That’s what I bring to the table,” Jennings said. “Pass pro as well. I just try to protect my teammates, protect the quarterback and protect the ball as well. So getting downhill, running through, breaking tackles, that’s what I like to bring.”
The Patriots signed running back Jashaun Corbin to the practice squad Tuesday, as well. Corbin is a smaller back who previously spent time with the Falcons, Panthers and Giants.
