Stefon Diggs On His Huge Game: "Just Doing My Job"
Stefon Diggs turned around to stare at Eagles cornerback Rasul Douglas as he strolled into the end zone.
He had just burned Douglas for a 62-yard touchdown, his first score since Week 2 at Green Bay. In the four weeks between those touchdowns, Diggs had gone through all kinds of frustration, received a six-figure fine for skipping a practice, and had been the target of endless trade rumors that he did little to shoot down.
Last week against the Giants, Diggs seemed to enjoy having the focus back on football again. Still, outside of one catch in a losing effort against the Packers, the splash plays he has become known for were nowhere to be found.
Until now.
Diggs turned to the crowd ahead of him and faked taking off his helmet, poking fun at his celebration at Lambeau Field that brought about a penalty and some criticism from Mike Zimmer.
It was a classic Diggs sequence, one that showed his game-changing ability and unique personality all at once.
As it turns out, Diggs' afternoon was only beginning. The Vikings' next offensive play was another deep shot to No. 14 and another touchdown, making him the first Viking since Randy Moss to have two receiving touchdowns of 50-plus yards in one game.
He would go on to catch another touchdown in the third quarter, capping off the first three-score game of his career. He finished with 167 receiving yards – more than he had in the Falcons, Packers, Raiders and Giants games combined.
"I just look at it like I'm doing my job," Diggs said. "I feel like I’m comfortable any week I go out there, as far as trying to play with confidence and do my job. It was no different than just waiting for the opportunities and making plays happen."
Asked about the difficulty of staying patient while waiting for a game like this, Diggs said he doesn't have a choice.
"I talk to God more than I talk to anyone, so I just look at as a situation you can’t control," Diggs said.
Today, the opportunities finally came for Diggs, and he was like a kid in a candy shop. He celebrated with a track meet against Dalvin Cook after his second touchdown. He scooted around on his knees after his third. He did snow angels in the end zone at one point.
After a day like Sunday, the story of Diggs' 2019 season looks a lot different than it did a week and a half ago. There may not be another game quite like this, but it's in the Vikings' best interest to continue to take advantage of his talents going forward.
