Mark Daniels: Stefon Diggs proves doubters wrong in Patriots playoff-clinching victory

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Mark Daniels: Stefon Diggs proves doubters wrong in Patriots playoff-clinching victory

Mark Daniels · MassLive

Mon, Dec 22, 2025 ·

4 min read

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BALTIMORE – Stefon Diggs didn't forget who he was, where he came from, or the wide receivers the Patriots tried to sign before him.

On Sunday night, in front of a stadium packed with friends and family, the fiery emotion came out from the Pro Bowl receiver in many forms.

The 32-year-old, a little over a year removed from a torn ACL, just helped lift the Patriots to a 28-24 comeback victory over the Baltimore Ravens . The Maryland native led the Patriots with nine catches and 138 yards. He made a crucial catch in the fourth quarter, leading to the game-winning touchdown.

Sitting in front of his locker, after the Patriots secured a spot in the playoffs, Diggs was full of energy. Just moments before, the Pro Bowler ran into the visitor's locker room inside M&T Stadium, waved to some friends, smiled at the cameras, and screamed, "Happy holidays!"

For Diggs, this season was about redemption. It was about proving to people he was still the man he always declared to be – even if teams may have doubted that this past offseason.

On Sunday night, big-game Stefon Diggs arrived in Baltimore and put on a show for the ages.

"Prime time, my time," Diggs said. "The world's watching, and I always look at it as another opportunity to show the world who I am and how I'm coming. My teammates got my back. I'm a positive influence, a positive force on this team. Keeping my energy high and just know ain't no let up in me."

For Diggs, the performance on Sunday night meant a lot. He said he had over 100 people in the stadium from his hometown and finished with over 100 yards for the 40th time in his career. This also marked the fourth 100-yard game of this season for the receiver. He's the first Patriots receiver with that many games of 100-plus yards since Rob Gronkowski in 2013.

It's been a remarkable turnaround for Diggs, who said he not only remembers how long he was a free agent last March, but also the other receivers the Patriots wanted to sign before giving him a 3-year, $69 million contract.

"Yeah, they were thinking about signing those other guys," Diggs said. "And I know all those other guys they were thinking about signing."

Before this year, the Patriots made aggressive moves to attempt to sign or trade for a No. 1 receiver. They struck out when Brandon Aiyuk refused a trade to New England , Calvin Ridley didn't want to sign with the Patriots, and then Chris Godwin turned down more money to stay in Tampa Bay.

In the end, it worked out for the best.

Aiyuk didn't play in a game for the 49ers this season. Godwin has struggled with injuries this season and has 25 receptions for 244 yards. Ridley's also dealt with injuries and currently has 17 catches for 303 yards.

Diggs exited Sunday night with 76 catches for 869 yards – more catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns (3) than Aiyuk, Ridley, and Godwin combined in 2025.

"When they told me I had an opportunity to come in, I jumped at it," Diggs said of the Patriots. "Teams don't really like to sign guys, you know, over 30, just coming off of ACL (surgery), so it's just more motivation for me to come out and be myself. I know being myself is going to be enough."

It certainly was on Sunday night.

The Patriots found themselves in a dog fight against the Ravens. After failing to secure the division title, in their loss to Buffalo, the Patriots were hurting in Baltimore. The team lost multiple players to injury, and in the first half, two turnovers in the red zone set them back.

As the game wore on, when Drake Maye needed a big play, he went to his No. 1 receiver.

The biggest moment came with 3:02 left on the clock. The Patriots were down by three points when they were faced with a fourth-and-2. That's when Maye connected with Diggs, who was sprinting across the field. The receiver caught the ball and ran for 21 yards to the 27-yard line. Two plays later, Rhamondre Stevenson ran in for the game-winning touchdown.

On Sunday Night Football, in a nationally televised game, in front of friends and family, Diggs showed everyone he's still a top-flight receiver. And now, the Patriots are back in the playoffs .

He might not have been the Patriots' first choice, but he was the right choice.

"I'm where I'm supposed to be," Diggs said. "Those guys took a chance on me. I was coming off an injury. I was healing up faster than anybody, so (they took) a chance on me and give me an opportunity to show the world who I am.

"I'm back and better than ever."

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