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Postgame Handshake Between Josh Allen, Joe Burrow Draws Attention

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Parker Johnson | Last updated Dec 7, 2025 4:59 PM ET

Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills (9-4) defeated Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals (4-9) by a final score of 39-34 on Sunday. The two star quarterbacks played out a thrilling, back-and-forth contest in the snow at Highmark Stadium.

In just his fourth game of the season after battling a toe injury, Burrow appeared to be back to his best. Cincinnati took a 28-18 lead in the fourth quarter on his third touchdown pass of the game. It all slipped away when Burrow threw back-to-back interceptions, one of them a pick-six by Buffalo's Christian Benford, letting Buffalo back into the game.

Allen led the Bills back, polishing off a 21-point fourth quarter with his 3-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Hawes with 3 minutes, 3 seconds remaining. Allen finished the game 22-of-28 passing for 252 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. He added nine carries for 78 rushing yards, including a 40-yard scoring run that is the longest TD run by a QB in Bills history.

Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen and Joe Burrow meet near midfield after the Bengals beat the Bills 27-10 to advance to the 2023 AFC Championship Game.Jamie Germano / USA TODAY NETWORK

Following their third career meeting, Allen and Burrow met at midfield. Video of the handshake between the two quarterbacks was posted by the NFL on social media, drawing plenty of attention from fans.

"until next time," NFL teased in its post on X.

until next time pic.twitter.com/rA4qwho7IR
— NFL (@NFL) December 7, 2025

"Always a classic with these two, cinema," said one reply.

"That was electric," said another.

Short & sweet https://t.co/xt8Rym1zLT
— Angela Johnson✨️ (@AngieJ1972) December 7, 2025

"God the look on his face man," a fan said of Burrow. "My heart breaks for him and this team I swear."

Another X user observed that Burrow, understandably, looked like he "barely wanted to chat."

The Bengals quarterback finished 25-for-36 passing for 284 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. He now has a 2-1 record head-to-head against Allen, including a win in the 2022 NFL playoffs.

"This was a really good team we just played," Allen said of Burrow and the Bengals in his postgame interview. "One of the best offenses, best quarterbacks in the NFL — really, of all time. The dude is a stud."

"The fight in this team is unbelievable. Didn't have much hope. Had a sliver but that's all we need. Just need a chance."

Pam Oliver spoke with @JoshAllenQB after the @BuffaloBills' come from behind win ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/NYjrQ6R6vw
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 7, 2025

With just four games left in the regular season, the Bengals' playoff hopes are all but extinguished after the loss to the Bills.

For Buffalo, its hunt for an AFC East title will take center stage next week when the Bills face the division-leading New England Patriots (11-2).

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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