SF 49ers: 5 best storylines to watch on Monday night vs. Bills
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: How do the SF 49ers contain Stefon Diggs?
The last time the Niners had to deal with Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs was back in the 2020 divisional playoff game when he was with the Minnesota Vikings.
In that game, Diggs torched cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon for a 41-yard touchdown. Yet San Francisco held Diggs to just one more catch aside from that one, and the hope is Buffalo’s top receiving option will put up a performance that’s closer to the non-factor variety.
It’ll be tough, as Diggs leads the Bills offense with 80 catches for 945 yards and has little trouble getting open against good secondaries.
Fortunately, the SF 49ers defensive backfield will be at arguably the best strength it’s been all season, getting veteran cornerback Richard Sherman back in Week 12 and pairing him opposite fellow corner Jason Verrett, who is enjoying a resurgent year.
But it’ll take more than just the duo of Sherman and Verrett to contain Diggs, as coordinator Robert Saleh’s defense will need to occupy the prolific receiver with multiple defenders in multiple formations throughout the contest.