For the third time this season, Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore will take on one of his previous teams—the New England Patriots or Carolina Panthers—as he looks to make a victorious return to Western New York against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
Coming off of one of his best games ever, he goes back to his old haunts, pursuing a top receiver and destroying their day. That meant going up against A.J. Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 14 and winning 33–13 while putting on a solid show that included a forced fumble.

The Bills’ standout receiver Stefon Diggs poses a comparable threat to Gilmore. Although he hasn’t played well lately, Buffalo’s top receiver is still on track to have another 1,000-yard season. He has been targeted 132 times in 13 games, with 87 catches, 993 yards, and 8 touchdowns.
CB Stephon Gilmore of the Cowboys stops Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown with a play on the ball.
CB Stephon Gilmore of the Cowboys stops Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown with a play on the ball.
Sean McDermott, the head coach of Buffalo, made a special effort to commend Gilmore when he said that he might play against Diggs in Week 15.

“His game is something I greatly admire,” McDermott remarked. “To be able to play for so long at such a high level; the amount of preparation he puts in, the habits he undoubtedly has, and the way he handles it. takes additional care of his physical well-being.
Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons used anecdotal evidence to explain how he takes care of himself, sharing that he would eat warm noodles just for their nutritional value. Even though Parsons is accustomed to NFL-caliber training, Gilmore’s commitment surprised him.
He has been selected to two All-Pro teams, five Pro Bowls, and won Defensive Player of the Year thanks to these routines. Few corners in the game are more revered than Gilmore, despite the fact that he’s not quite as lockdown as he once was.

“A highly perceptive football player with excellent technique who appears to know where routes are headed in specific scenarios,” McDermott remarked.
For Buffalo, getting the ball to Diggs entails venturing into hazardous area. While Gilmore is a formidable player in his own right, DaRon Bland is on the other side and has established a record for the most pick-sixes in a season.
Expect to see a lot of Diggs targets nonetheless. Although tight end Dalton Kincaid’s ascent has been entertaining, the Bills have not been able to consistently find success with their auxiliary targets. The offense functions best when Josh Allen is hot and finds his best receiver.
In order to keep Buffalo in the AFC playoff picture, Diggs’ ability to get open against Gilmore and Allen’s ability to scramble against an excellent pass rush with man coverage behind it will be crucial. Win on Sunday, and the Week 18 matchup against the Miami Dolphins becomes more about seeding than if it were a game of life or death