Joey Porter Jr. on trying to ‘lock down’ Stefon Diggs: ‘Do my job … put another guy on the list’
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During his time as a Pittsburgh Steeler, linebacker Joey Porter played in 10 postseason games, winning one Super Bowl.
Now his son, rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr., is about to play his first career postseason game in Black and Gold on Sunday afternoon in Buffalo against the Bills.
“This is something I always want to check off the list, playing in the playoffs. There’s no better way to do it in the playoffs (than) versus a good team like that,” Porter said Monday. “So, I’m going to do my job, and try to do it well, and put another guy on the list.
“He’s a good wide receiver that likes to talk. So I’m going to be ready for that.”
That guy is Bills three-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs. That list includes the likes of fellow Pro Bowlers DeAndre Hopkins, Ja’Marr Chase, Amari Cooper, Tee Higgins and DK Metcalf. Those are all topflight receivers that Porter has been assigned to shadow since early November.
Of that star-studded group, Metcalf had the best success.
Joey Porter Jr. aligned across from DK Metcalf on 26 of 32 routes (81.3%), his 6th shadow coverage game since Week 7 (T-most in NFL).
Metcalf caught 3 of 6 targets for 86 yards, the first WR to gain over 40 yards vs Porter in coverage this season.#PITvsSEA | #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/DTIMSOqtoF
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) January 1, 2024
That’s not bad, considering the credentials of those who have lined up opposite Porter.
The Penn State product and North Allegheny graduate has had some difficulty avoiding penalties. His eight assessed infractions rank seventh among NFL defensive backs. However, he has been penalty-free for the past two weeks.
Now, enter Diggs. The 2020 All-Pro caught 107 passes this year for 1,183 yards and eight touchdowns. Those are all low-water marks for Diggs since joining the Bills four years ago. But still among the league leaders.
Porter is embracing the challenge of facing Diggs on every snap if head coach Mike Tomlin gives him that assignment.
“One of those great guys on the list I’m definitely excited for,” Porter said of Diggs. “I’m going to do my best to do what I do best, and that’s lock these guys down. I’m just excited for the matchup.”
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Last year against the Steelers, Diggs caught eight passes for 102 yards and a touchdown en route to a 38-3 Bills victory in Buffalo. He had 87 yards on seven catches Sunday night in Miami. That was his best outing since turning in four straight games of over 100 yards between Sept. 24 and Oct. 15.
Porter knows that however Tomlin deploys him on Sunday, he’ll have to be aware of the other weapons available to quarterback Josh Allen as well.
“We’ve just got to be sound and communicate. The same thing we already have been preaching all year. I think that’s what really helped us these past couple of weeks. Just communication. Even though we had a lot of guys go down. That was our main key to keep us going. And I feel like everybody handled that pretty well. So if we just keep playing sound and play with communication, we’re going be good,” Porter said.
The return of safety Damontae Kazee from suspension and the potential return of Minkah Fitzpatrick from injury should help in that area.
But against the likes of Diggs and Allen, being good may not be good enough. An upset in Buffalo on Sunday is likely to require a defensive effort that’s extra special. Otherwise, a playoff win is something that will remain unchecked on Porter’s list.
As it has been in Pittsburgh since 2016.