A 15-yard taunting penalty assessed to the team that was just scored upon? It raised eyebrows.

Pittsburgh Steelers co-captain Cameron Heyward, though, said he had good reason for mixing it up with Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen after an Allen touchdown pass during the third quarter of the Bills’ victory Sunday.

“Uh, being kneed in my stomach?” Heyward said after the game when asked what compelled his actions that drew a flag. “And then, just jawing back and forth. And then (I was) ticked off the entire game because as a quarterback, they’re protected, but I’m not. It just (ticks) me off.”

Allen doesn't make any abrupt movements but Heyward responds quickly @BuffaloPlus pic.twitter.com/SZWO8731R5

— Jenna Cottrell (@JennaCottrell) December 1, 2025

Television replays showed a confrontation between Allen — the reigning NFL MVP — and Heyward, the longtime Steelers defensive captain. No explanation was given by officials for the nature of the penalty assessed on Heyward.

Heyward said he had no doubt that Allen had intent with his knee.

“He even said after, ‘I had to do something to get you off me,’ ” Heyward said.

Heyward’s allegation was not relayed to the Bills locker room at Acrisure Stadium in time to get a response from Allen.

Asked about going back-and-forth verbally with Heyward, Allen said: “Love the competitiveness out of this game. He’s such a great player. Sometimes you need fire like that to get you going.”

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