![\"Stefon](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2246612650-1-e1769127955643.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Stefon Diggs of the New England Patriots<\/p>\n
Stefon Diggs knows what it takes<\/a> to play in an AFC Championship<\/a>. And he also knows the heartbreak that comes along with falling just short of the Super Bowl.<\/p>\n In 2021, Diggs was a member of the Buffalo Bills, and he traveled to Arrowhead Stadium to face the Kansas City Chiefs<\/a>. But when the game ended, it was red and yellow confetti that came down on the field, continuing the Chiefs\u2019 season, while sending Buffalo home with nothing.<\/p>\n And there was a photo that went viral, showing Diggs standing on the field after the game in his uniform with his helmet on, watching as the Chiefs celebrated.<\/p>\n The Buffalo Bills Stefon Diggs stayed and watched the celebration when the Kansas City Chiefs won the AFC championship, and it has been engraved in his mind that moment. #BillsMafia<\/a> <\/p>\n The Patriots<\/a> wide receiver was asked about this photo ahead of Sunday\u2019s game.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m equally as motivated as I was last week to win the game. I try not to make things more than what they are. That was a moment in my life four or five years ago,\u201d Diggs said (per MassLive<\/a>). \u201cA lot has happened since then. Be where my feet are right now. We have a great opportunity right in front of us. Everybody over here is laser-focused.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Patriots May Be Getting Key Weapon Back For AFC Championship Game<\/p>\n \ud83d\udea8Patriots WR Mack Hollins is practicing today \ud83d\udea8 <\/p>\n Mack is back\u2026 almost.<\/p>\n On Thursday, Mack Hollins was on the practice field, opening his 21 day return window after being placed on injured reserve due to an abdomen injury. This was the first week he\u2019s been eligible to return, and while head coach Mike Vrabel said Hollins wouldn\u2019t practice on Wednesday, it seems the following day was a different story.<\/p>\n If the Patriots want to elevate him, they have until 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday to activate him from IR, but they\u2019d need to open a spot on the 53-man roster.<\/p>\n This season, Hollins has 46 catches for 550 yards, but also helps tremendously as a blocker. And fans are certainly excited about the possibility of getting him back.<\/p>\n \u201cMy daughter was born 3 weeks ago. This is the second-best thing to happen to me lol,\u201d one fan posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThis would be MASSIVE,\u201d another fan wrote.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s go baby! Need that leadership in the huddle! Drake need help go to guy on 3rd down,\u201d a fan posted.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Kayshon Boutte Fires Back At Sean Payton\u2019s Super Bowl Comments<\/p>\n Kayshon Boutte on Sean Payton saying Denver fans will have plenty of rest after the AFC Championship game:<\/p>\n Kayshon said he didn\u2019t see it, but added, \u201cThey can rest in Cancun too at the end of the day.\u201d @NBC10<\/a> <\/p>\n Sean Payton had a clear message to the Denver Broncos<\/a> fans ahead of the AFC Championship that will be played at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re going to have plenty of rest after this one \u2014 two weeks,\u201d Payton said, alluding to the Broncos making it to the playoffs.<\/p>\n So, when asked about these comments on Thursday, Kayshon Boutte humorously fired back.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can rest in Cancun too at the end of the day,\u201d Boutte said.<\/p>\n And as for whether this is being used as bulletin board material for the Patriots this week, Vrabel was careful not to give anything away.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019re plenty motivated for the game. I think our players are continuing to build confidence through the week,\u201d Vrabel said. \u201cI\u2019m really excited to go out there and play.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tSophie Weller<\/a> Sophie Weller is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com. She also works for Patriots Wire, and previously spent time with A to Z Sports and MassLive. She is based out of Boston, Massachusetts, and loves all things football! More about Sophie Weller<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Patriots\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t