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Buffalo Bills CB explains what 'activates' Josh Allen

A scuffle with a Steelers player during the Bills' win over the Pittsburgh seemed to light a fire under the Buffalo QB.
Alex Brasky|
Dec 15, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs the ball against Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) during the third quarter at Heinz Field.
Dec 15, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs the ball against Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) during the third quarter at Heinz Field. | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

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Emotions ran high during the Buffalo Bills’ Week 13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers this past Sunday afternoon, including during a moment when Cameron Heyward and Josh Allen nearly came to blows.

Following a short run from Allen late in the first half, Heyward quickly got to his feet before jumping into the face of the Bills’ quarterback. He later claimed that Allen had kneed him in the stomach, which is what drew the ire of the Steelers’ defensive lineman.

RELATED: Reason for Josh Allen's scuffle with Steelers' defender during Week 13 win revealed

Josh Allen, Cameron Heyward
Dec 15, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) brings down Buffalo Billsquarterback Josh Allen (17) during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Bills won 17-10. | Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images

Looking back at Heyward’s hostile response, there’s a good chance the longtime veteran may be regretting his actions in the days following Pittsburgh's blowout loss.

And Christian Benford revealed why on Tuesday’s episode of Up and Adams.

“It’s almost like it activates him into a different character,” said Benford of moments such as the one between Allen and Heyward. “Josh, he will talk back. He will talk back. And he will keep talking.”

MORE: Sean McDermott reveals 'nose-to-nose' moment that sparked Bills' win over Steelers

Following the dust-up with Heyward, Allen went on to finish the game 11 of 15 passing for 86 yards and a touchdown. His solid finish came after a slow start to the contest, during which he began 4 of 8 passing for 37 yards and an interception before squaring off with the Steelers’ defender.

Allen has a long history of getting under opposing players’ skin. And there have been many instances in which, when the opposition responds aggressively, it only serves as more fuel to the fire in the Bills’ quarterback’s belly, which rages about as hot as any signal caller in the NFL.

A word of advice to Heyward, next time he is matched up against Allen, don’t poke the bear. 

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Alex Brasky
ALEX BRASKY

Alex Brasky is editor of Bills Digest and host of the Buffalo Pregame podcast. He has been on the Bills beat the past six seasons and now joins Sports Illustrated hoping to expand his coverage of Buffalo’s favorite football team.

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