The Stefon Diggs show continued in Cincinnati — and this time, it delivered a win. The New England Patriots edged out the Cincinnati Bengals 26-20 on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Paycor Stadium, in a game that came down to clutch plays, cold nerves, and one receiver who refused to disappear. Diggs, the Patriots’ undisputed WR1, caught seven passes for 84 yards and a critical third-down conversion that kept New England’s final scoring drive alive. No touchdowns, no flashy highlights — just consistent, surgical precision that wore down a tired Bengals defense.
How Diggs Became the Engine of New England’s Offense
It wasn’t always this way. Early in the 2025 season, Diggs was still finding his rhythm in Bill Belichick’s evolving system. But something shifted around Week 9. His route distribution changed. Where he used to split time between the outside and the slot, he began living in the middle of the field. According to ProFootballNetwork.com’s analytics, his slot route percentage jumped from 43.1% in Weeks 1-8 to 59.2% in Weeks 9-11 — a deliberate shift to exploit mismatches against linebackers and safety rotations. The result? Five straight games clearing 10 PPR fantasy points, including four with over 11.5 expected points.
On Sunday, that pattern held. Drake Maye, the Patriots’ young quarterback, targeted Diggs on three of his first five passes — all on the opening drive. One of them, a 14-yard slant on third-and-8, was the kind of play that turns momentum. The New England Patriots’ official highlight video, published the same day, titled “Maye’s third-down strike to Diggs keeps Pats drive alive,” captured the moment perfectly: Diggs adjusted mid-air, caught the ball over two defenders, and got two more yards before going down. It wasn’t spectacular. It was essential.
The Bengals’ Defensive Dilemma
The Cincinnati Bengals knew Diggs was the threat. They doubled him. They rolled coverage his way. They even tried safety help over the top. But Diggs didn’t need to beat one man — he needed to beat the system. And he did. The Bengals’ postgame recap, published on their official site, acknowledged his role in “setting up key moments,” though the full context was cut off. What’s clear: Cincinnati’s defense, which had been solid all season, looked gassed by the fourth quarter. Diggs wasn’t just catching passes — he was dictating coverage. And when the Bengals shifted to zone, he found soft spots. When they played man, he used his 6’1” frame to shield defenders.
“He’s not the fastest guy,” said Bengals cornerback Daxton Hill in his postgame interview. “But he’s got this… patience. Like he knows exactly where you’re going to be before you get there.”
Why This Win Matters More Than the Score
The Patriots improved to 7-4, moving into a tie for second in the AFC East. The Bengals fell to 5-6, now fighting to stay in playoff contention. But beyond standings, this game revealed something deeper: New England’s offense finally has a reliable anchor. In years past, they’ve cycled through receivers — Welker, Edelman, Nelson, etc. — but Diggs is different. He’s not a flash in the pan. He’s a steady hand in a storm.
ProFootballNetwork.com’s fantasy analysts didn’t just project him to score 16.7 PPR points — they called him “a WR2 with WR1 consistency.” That’s the key. He doesn’t need 150 yards to matter. He needs five catches on critical downs. He needs to convert third-and-7 when the game’s on the line. He did that Sunday. And he’s done it five weeks straight.
What’s Next for Diggs and the Patriots
With the bye week looming, the Patriots now turn to a tough stretch: home games against the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs. Diggs will likely see even more slot work — his efficiency there is too high to ignore. Analysts at ProFootballNetwork.com now project him to average 7.2 receptions and 78 yards per game over the final five weeks, with a 68% catch rate on targets inside the 20-yard line. He’s not going to drop a 200-yard bomb. But he’s going to make you pay for every first down.
And that’s the quiet brilliance of Stefon Diggs: he doesn’t need the spotlight. He just needs the ball. And the Patriots? They’ve finally learned to give it to him — on time, on target, and when it matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Stefon Diggs’ role change during the 2025 season?
Diggs’ route distribution shifted dramatically after Week 8, with his slot route percentage rising from 43.1% to 59.2% by Week 11. This change allowed him to exploit slower linebackers and create mismatches in the middle of the field, making him more reliable on third downs and in the red zone. His increased usage in the slot also helped open space for other receivers like rookie Jalin Hyatt.
Why didn’t Diggs score a touchdown despite his high volume of targets?
Diggs had just two red-zone targets in the past five games and a 23.8% red-zone target rate — low for a WR1. The Patriots often used him as a decoy or safety valve, drawing coverage away from tight end Jonnu Smith and running back Rhamondre Stevenson. His value isn’t in touchdowns — it’s in sustaining drives. He’s the chain-mover, not the finisher.
How does this win affect the Patriots’ playoff chances?
The 26-20 victory moved the Patriots to 7-4, tying them with the Miami Dolphins for second in the AFC East. With the Bills still leading at 8-3, New England needs to win at least three of their final five games to secure a wild-card spot. Diggs’ consistency gives them their best chance — he’s the only receiver in the league with five straight 10+ PPR point games this season.
What did Bengals coach Zac Taylor say about Diggs’ performance?
Though the full quote wasn’t released, Taylor told reporters after the game that Diggs “made us pay for every coverage tweak.” He added that Cincinnati’s defensive adjustments — including blitz packages and double-teams — were “technically sound” but “couldn’t account for his timing.” That’s high praise from a coach known for defensive discipline.
Is Stefon Diggs now considered a top-5 wide receiver in the NFL?
By traditional stats, no — he’s averaging 72 yards per game, not 100+. But by efficiency metrics, yes. He’s top-five in catch rate (79.3%), top-three in yards per route run among slot receivers, and leads all WRs with five straight 10+ PPR games. Analysts like NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport now rank him as the league’s most reliable receiver in high-leverage situations — not the flashiest, but the most dependable.
What’s the significance of Diggs playing without injury concerns?
After missing three games in 2024 due to a hamstring strain, Diggs’ full participation in all 11 games this season is a major upgrade for New England. His durability allows Belichick to build the offense around him without contingency plans. That’s rare. In the past five years, only Justin Jefferson and Tyreek Hill have matched his streak of 11 straight games played with 5+ receptions.
