In the closing minutes of the Buffalo Bills’ loss to the Cincinnati Bengals at home on Sunday, it became clear that star receiver Stefon Diggs wasn’t too happy with quarterback Josh Allen.
The 27-10 loss didn’t produce Allen’s best effort, as the score clearly indicates. He went 25-of-42 in snowy Buffalo weather for 265 yards with no passing touchdowns and one interception. His only touchdown of the day was on the ground.
Diggs saw 10 targets from Allen to lead the Bills, but only caught four of them for 35 yards. There were times when Allen just missed what seemed like big plays to Diggs, but the receiver’s frustration came after the game’s penultimate drive when the Bills blew the opportunity.
Down 17, you’d think Diggs would be targeted by Allen, as has been the case all season. But Allen looked at Diggs just once in that incomplete 10-play drive, when BJ Hill hit the intended pass at scrimmage.
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Stefon Diggs #14 of the Buffalo Bills kneels on the ground after a play against the Cincinnati Bengals during the third quarter of the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Highmark Stadium on January 22, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York .
(Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
On 4 and 6, Allen also ran to his right to extend the drive, and it looked like Diggs was a bit wide in the end zone. Instead, Allen tossed it to Gabriel Davis, who dropped a 3-and-2 pass earlier in the game that killed the earlier drive and couldn’t catch it.
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That’s when Diggs appeared to say a few words to Allen on the bench, throwing his arms in the air as the quarterback ignored him and stared at his tablet.
If that wasn’t enough, Diggs also reportedly booked him to leave the Bills’ locker room before many came through the tunnel after the final whistle. According to The Athletic, it was practice squad running back Duke Johnson, an NFL veteran, who prevented Diggs from leaving the stadium.
Diggs ended up returning to the Bills’ locker room, but not for long.
Head coach Sean McDermott noted that Diggs was present for his postgame address to the team before leaving.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) makes a play during the second half of an NFL Wild Card playoff football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, in Orchard Park, New York.
(AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
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It’s no secret that Diggs is ultra-competitive, and sometimes that gets out of hand. Buffalo was the favorite in this contest, given the conditions, the Bengals were banged up on their offensive line, and the fact that the offense is one of the best in football.
However, Joe Burrow and the Bengals thought otherwise and made it clear that they are a force in the AFC, returning to the championship for the second straight year for the first time in franchise history.
For the Bills, it’s the second straight year they’ve fallen in the AFC divisional round, having been on the wrong end of a legendary game played in Kansas City last season. Travis Kelce’s overtime touchdown was the game-winner in the back-and-forth offensive rush that witnessed the NFL world.
Stefon Diggs #14 of the Buffalo Bills warms up before the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Highmark Stadium on January 22, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York.
(Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
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But make no mistake, Diggs and Allen are a dynamic duo that the league still fears. And Diggs isn’t going anywhere as he’s set for free agency in 2028.