MASSACHUSETTS — Fresh of a dismantling of the Carolina Panthers, the New England Patriots have the opportunity to take down the league-leading Buffalo Bills in an early divisional matchup.
There's extra motivation for a key member of the team, as Stefon Diggs is set to return to Buffalo for the first time since his 2024 departure.
Vibes are high in New England as the team is 2-2, squarely in the playoff hunt and led by a second-year quarterback in Drake Maye who looks to have it.
Here are a few storylines to know ahead of Sunday's matchup:
Stefon Diggs Back In Buffalo
Buffalo Bills fans have a lot to be grateful for when it comes to the Stefon Diggs era of the team.
Diggs and Allen were an electric combination, with Diggs posting 445 catches for 5,372 yards and 37 touchdowns in 66 games together. In 2020, Diggs led the league with 127 catches and 1,535 yards. The yardage mark is a Bills franchise record, and he was named an AP First-Team All-Pro that year.
Diggs noted that his first time back to Buffalo would be "sentimental" and "emotional."
"I try to keep the main thing the main thing, but it's my first time back there. It's going to be a hell of an atmosphere. I was a part of that for a long time. I played there before I got there. So, I'm excited," Diggs said, according to reporting from Kevin Patra.
Diggs is coming off his best game as a Patriot in Week 4. Emotions aside, he'll look to continue the trend in Buffalo.
New Food Option For Pats Fans
(Courtesy Chick-fil-A)
Let's call a spade a spade: Getting out of the Gillette Stadium parking lot is rough.
So why not kill a little time grabbing a bite to eat post-game? Now, fans have an additional option to do so after the opening of the state's newest Chick-fil-A.
Located at 80 Washington St. on the south side of Patriot Place, Chick-fil-A Foxborough will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Opening day was Thursday.
Read more about the new spot here.
Marcus Jones Snags Honor
The AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honor has spent Monday-Friday in Foxborough thanks to a stellar Sunday from Marcus Jones.
Jones set a new Patriots franchise record for punt return yardage in a single game with 167 yards on three returns, the team site said. That includes an 87-yard touchdown return that served as the turning point in the team's Week 4 win.
New England has had a significant start to the year in the third phase of the game, with Antonio Gibson grabbing the honor after his Week 2 kick return.
How To Watch The Game
Kickoff: 8:20 p.m.
TV: NBC
Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub