Bills officially have a new non-QB player rivalry for years to come
For years to come, Buffalo Bills fans will be able to watch great quarterback rivalries as Josh Allen takes on Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, and Lamar Jackson, among others in AFC regular season and playoff games. But as both showdowns against the New York Jets fade in the rearview mirror (at least until […]
For years to come, Buffalo Bills fans will be able to watch great quarterback rivalries as Josh Allen takes on Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, and Lamar Jackson, among others in AFC regular season and playoff games.
But as both showdowns against the New York Jets fade in the rearview mirror (at least until a potential trilogy in the playoffs?), Bills Mafia should be excited about another rivalry they'll get to watch twice a year from now on.
Star wide receiver Stefon Diggs against rising cornerback Sauce Gardner. Last week, I went into detail on the two's first scuffle and how both teams kept the pair from lining up against each other for the most part.
The second Jets-Bills game was different, though. Gardner lined up across Diggs for over 10 snaps and wasn't targeted once. One of the best receivers in the league playing for one of the best quarterbacks in the game… zero targets. He's the only corner in the league to achieve that mark this season.
For the whole game, Allen targeted Gardner only two targets, completing one catch for six yards. You know the Bills won't forget about that anytime soon.
And while Diggs landed a 42-yard catch versus Gardner in the Bills' Week 9 loss, it was a very specific tendency breaker designed to catch the Jets by surprise in the opening drive of the game.
Let's keep it real here. While the Bills are winning the war season-wise, they were on the losing side of this particular battle.
The NFL is missing non-quarterback rivalries that excite the fans as much. Diggs-Gardner has the potential to become the twice-a-year heavyweight matchup that everyone circles in the calendar when the Bills' schedule comes out.
Chances are we don't get a third addition until next season, but I'm already impatiently waiting for it. Bills Mafia and Stefon Diggs will be thinking rematch next time these two face each other.
Featured image via Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
