Before the Patriots vs. Bills game, Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen sent a 13-word message to a former Patriots player, mocking him. Stefon Diggs immediately responded with a stunning 7-word reply, prompting Josh Allen to issue an apology.
Tension between the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills escalated dramatically before kickoff when Josh Allen privately sent a pointed 13-word message mocking a former Patriots player, igniting quiet buzz around both locker rooms and quickly becoming a topic of intense speculation among players, staff, and league insiders.
According to multiple sources, Allen’s message read: “Funny how New England forgot you once pressure arrived, players aren’t built for.” The remark was seen as a direct shot at both the player’s toughness and the Patriots’ culture, crossing an unspoken line before one of the AFC’s most heated rivalries.

The message did not stay private for long. Within minutes, word reached Patriots star Stefon Diggs, whose response was as brief as it was cutting. Diggs fired back with just seven words: “Scoreboard talks louder than messages before kickoff,” instantly shifting the tone of the exchange.
That seven-word reply reportedly stunned several Bills players who witnessed the moment unfold. There was no profanity, no insult—just a confident reminder that results, not words, define reputations in the NFL, especially under the bright lights of a Patriots–Bills showdown.
Sources say Allen quickly realized the situation had gone too far. Within hours, he reached out directly to clarify his intent and issued a private apology, acknowledging that competitive emotions had overtaken better judgment on the eve of such a high-stakes divisional matchup.

Inside the Patriots locker room, Diggs’ response was praised as calm, controlled, and emblematic of New England’s mindset. Teammates viewed it as a statement of quiet confidence, reinforcing the belief that the team prefers to answer challenges on the field, not through pregame theatrics.
Coaches on both sides attempted to downplay the incident publicly, but privately, it added fuel to an already intense rivalry. Players understood that every snap, every catch, and every score would now carry extra meaning after the exchange surfaced.
When the teams finally took the field, the tension was unmistakable. What began as a private message turned into a psychological subplot, reminding everyone that in the NFL, even a few words—thirteen or seven—can echo loudly long after kickoff.