What is going on with Stefon Diggs so far this season?
By Luke Parrish
Week 3 – Oakland Raiders
Once again, the Vikings got off to a quick start just like they did in Week 1. This time it came against Oakland.
A big day from Dalvin Cook kept Stefon Diggs’ opportunities limited in Minnesota’s offense during this matchup. Diggs’ three receptions for 15 yards were meaningless by the end of the day, but he was open on several occasions.
First Quarter
The Vikings opened the game against the Raiders with a plan to get Diggs involved as he caught the first pass of the day. He then drew a penalty for defensive holding on the next play to give the Vikings a first down.
Cousins looked his way, but the hold forced him to throw to Adam Thielen instead. Right off the bat, Minnesota wanted to get Diggs the ball. Later in the first quarter, Diggs caught another quick-hitter on the outside and again, he drew a penalty, this time for a facemask.
Second Quarter
In the second quarter, the Vikings began to pull away a bit. Halfway through the period, Minnesota was at their own 25-yard line. Cousins had a play-action bootleg and had Diggs wide open down the middle, but he dumped it off to Thielen for nine yards instead.
A few plays later, Diggs was wide open down the field for an easy score but Cousins, again, looked for Thielen. This time though, his pass fell incomplete down the sideline.
Third Quarter
Once again, Cousins missed opportunities with Diggs in the third quarter. Early in the second half, Cousins had Diggs one-on-one down the right sideline with no safety help. Still, the Vikings quarterback looked for Thielen instead.
Diggs eventually caught his third and final target midway through the quarter, a short pickup on first down. On the final play of the quarter, Diggs was open for a first-down catch, but Cousins decided to dump it off to Dalvin Cook.
Fourth Quarter
The Vikings did not drop back to pass a single time in the final period. After two catches – and two penalties – in the first quarter, Stefon Diggs was abandoned. He finished the game with three catches on three targets.