Buffalo Bills: 3 key matchups in Week 8 against the New England Patriots

ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 13: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills and Stefon Diggs #14 of the talk during a stoppage in play during the first half against the New York Jets at Bills Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 13: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills and Stefon Diggs #14 of the talk during a stoppage in play during the first half against the New York Jets at Bills Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
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Buffalo Bills
Oct 19, 2020; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) runs out of bounds after making a catch against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second quarter at Bills Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Stefon Diggs vs. J.C. Jackson

The marquee player matchup would have absolutely been Buffalo Bills’ wide receiver Stefon Diggs lining up across from cornerback Stephon Gilmore. The current Patriots cornerback, and former Buffalo Bills’ first round pick, is the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year but has struggled a bit this season.

However, Gilmore is dealing with a knee injury and he was questionable but didn’t travel with the team on Saturday. The responsibility of slowing down Stefon Diggs will now fall on J.C. Jackson.

He is another good cornerback and his performance has been overshadowed because Gilmore has just been incredible. This past season, quarterbacks had a passer rating of only 35.1 when throwing in his direction and had five interceptions.

This year, Jackson once again is proving he can make quarterbacks pay when they make a mistake throwing his direction with three interceptions already this year.

As for Stefon Diggs, he is off to a great start with the Buffalo Bills. He has been worth every bit of what the Bills gave up for him with 48 receptions, 603 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns.

It remains to be seen just how much the two will lineup across from one another but when they do, it will be must-watch television.

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