Bills’ Josh Allen explains why Stefon Diggs had just 2 targets in blowout win vs. Bears

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen sat at the podium after a 35-13 win over the Chicago Bears and tried to explain why the offense’s success on Saturday happened despite many opportunities for superstar wide receiver Stefon Diggs.

Part of the reason Diggs and the passing seat took a back seat against the Bears was that the Bills’ run game exploded. Devin Singletary ran for 106 yards – the first 100-yard game for a Buffalo back all season – and James Cook went for 92. Buffalo rushed for a season-high 254 yards and no Bills receiver had more than three receptions.

“Obviously, I wanna get 14 more involved and that’s something I got to continue to do,” Allen said. “I’m just trying to make the smart play and throw it to the open guy, but it’s not too many times that he’s not open. So again, just find ways to get him the ball, and get him more involved in our offense. He is the best receiver in the game.”

Diggs didn’t have a single target in the first half and the Bills’ offense stumbled into the locker room at Soldier Field down 10-6 after an opening possession touchdown followed by an Allen interception, a punt, and a missed field goal.

Over the past week, fans have wondered on local call-in radio shows if Diggs has been frustrated with his lack of chances the past few games. After one play against the Miami Dolphins last week, Diggs threw his helmet on the bench, and FOX sideline reporter Laura Okmin said he was yelling to “get me the ball” on the sidelines.

Diggs addressed his supposed frustration this week by saying he would be worried if a receiver didn’t want the ball.

“I respect this game to its fullest,” he said. “I feel like in those situations, I want to provide a spark for my team. I want us to stay in the green area and be making plays at a high level. We got a lot of guys that can do that. But when I say that that’s more so a piece of me trying to get it going and trying to stay in the right mind frame and stay on schedule.”

After not getting a single target in the first half, Allen went to Diggs on the first play in the third quarter. A quick look at the playlist in the box score reveals just a modest 15-yard gain, but the Bills went on to score on that drive. Diggs set the tone and the offense got back in the end zone after stalling on its last three drives.

Allen said the Bills are at their best when all of the offense’s weapons are involved in the offense. Diggs is a special talent, though, he said.

“We want the ball in his hands,” Allen said. “It’s no secret, you know, the type of player and person that he is. Whether it’s moving him around – the last thing I want to do is force-feed someone when it’s not there – but being more detailed and scheming him up, whether it’s at (the) one, two, or three, motioning him, getting off coverage. There are so many different ways that you can do that and obviously, I’ll talk to Dorse and figure out how we can best do that moving forward.”

Allen said he understands how Diggs can get frustrated in a game as the Bills played against the Bears. But Allen added that he’s not panicking or freaking out about the roadblock for his connection with Diggs.

“We wouldn’t be where we’re at without him,” Allen said.

Diggs added earlier this week that he’s got big shoulders and he can handle things when he gets frustrated. If the Bills win, Diggs said he’s a happy man.

“I feel like I’m an emotional player,” he said. “But I try not to make it so as detrimental to my team. If I’m saying something on the sideline, I feel like it’s warranted, and I feel like it’s different. It’s coming from a place of either we’re not doing what we’re supposed to do or I want to do better. So I mean, I don’t look at it no way. … at the end of the day, we win the game, I’m happy.”

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