It’s a bizarre but well-known truism in sports. A big win against a top team on one day can easily give way to a disappointing loss to a cellar-dweller the next time out. No matter how much preparation–mental or physical–goes into that next opponent, human nature just dictates that the focus level will drop, and a team that pulls an upset one day can be the upset victim the next. For the Patriots, that sort of letdown would be a hug bubble-buster.
But it’s a very real possibility coming off the emotional last-minute win over the Bills in Week 5 on “Sunday Night Football.” The Patriots are traveling to New Orleans to face the 1-4 Saints, now carrying with them some national cache and long-term playoff hopes. That cache could be squandered very easily with a Week 6 loss.
And veteran receiver Stefon Diggs, who starred with 10 catches and 146 yards against the Bills, wants to make sure his team knows it.
Stefon Diggs: ‘Turn the Page’
Diggs has also been a strong leader for what is a very young Patriots locker room in places. And coming off the win against the Bills Diggs is warning his teammates that the going will be tough against the Saints in New Orleans.
That’s despite the 1-4 record New Orleans has posted thus far. The Saints have been good at home, beating the Giants in Week 5 and losing to the Cardinals and 49ers by one score in the opening two weeks.
“It’s important we turn the page—the New Orleans Saints is a really good football team,” Diggs said. “I know their record doesn’t show it but they’re very skillful up front and in the back end. And to be honest, it might be a bigger test than last week, just as far as having success and being able to replicate that process. … This opponent, I know their record does not say it but they’re a good football team.
Patriots, Maye Must Keep Moving Forward
The Week 5 win was seen as a type of coming-out part for quarterback Drake Maye, but Diggs wants him to stay grounded, too.
Diggs said the array of plays made by Maye, including a flip to Diggs while he was being tackled to get a first down to open the game-winning drive in Buffalo, did not surprise him on Sunday. He just wants Maye to focus on the Saints.
“Nothing really surprises me. It was just a hell of a game,” he said. “I think it’s more important to move forward, obviously, because it’s in the past. Obviously, we got a big win but moving forward is going to be key for us as far as how we want our season to go and where we are at this point. But hell of a play by him, he is a hell of a player. Hopefully, he makes a lot more of those.”
GettyNew England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel
Patriots Vrabel: ‘We Have a Job to Do’
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, also a veteran who has experienced some big wins, had a similar message for moving on from a big win.
“We have a job to do. It’s the same every week,” Vrabel said. “I think if we are consistent each and every week, I think it allows us to get past some of those things. We’re disappointed after we lost. Happy when we won, disappointed when we lost.
“I think we’ve responded. We’ll have to make sure that we’re doing everything that we possibly can to prepare to go on and handle another tough environment. Just being able to handle the road environment, the crowd noise and everything else, I’m sure they’ll be excited. They played really well last week. I’m sure they’ll have the same great support that they always have in the Dome.”
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