Everything appeared to go perfectly during the Buffalo Bills’ Week 9 win against the Kansas City Chiefs. Reigning MVP quarterback Josh Allen threw for 273 yards and accounted for three touchdowns in the 28–21 victory. However, despite his strong performance, a small mistake involving Allen and WR Elijah Moore drew the NFL’s attention.
When Did the Mistake Occur?
With 1:34 remaining in the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Bills lined up in the “tush push” formation at the 1-yard line. With some help from his offensive line, Allen barreled over a sea of Chiefs defenders into the end zone. It was Allen’s second rushing touchdown of the game and third overall, giving Buffalo a commanding 27–13 lead before the extra point.
After the score, Allen leaped to his feet, spiked the ball, and headbutted two of his offensive linemen. Then, the mistake happened. Allen and wide receiver Moore shared a moment the NFL clearly disapproved of.
The duo engaged in what Tom Pelissero described as a “violent gesture,” specifically a “throat slash motion.”
The NFL fined Bills QB Josh Allen and WR Elijah Moore $13,888 each for unsportsmanlike conduct (violent gesture) — a throat slash motion after Allen scored a TD last week. pic.twitter.com/fffmhMS1LJ
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 8, 2025
As Pelissero reported, “The NFL fined Bills QB Josh Allen and WR Elijah Moore $13,888 each for unsportsmanlike conduct (violent gesture)- a throat slash motion after Allen scored a TD last week.”
The Punishment for Josh Allen and Elijah Moore
Shortly after, ESPN reporter Alaina Getzenberg confirmed the report, stating, “Allen was fined $14,491 and Moore was fined $13,888 for unsportsmanlike conduct.”
Bills QB Josh Allen and WR Elijah Moore were each fined for this celebration after Allen’s touchdown vs. the Chiefs. Allen was fined $14,491 and Moore was fined $13,888 for unsportsmanlike conduct (violent gesture) pic.twitter.com/rAYJqfwbyF
— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) November 8, 2025
This marks Allen’s third career fine. His previous two came during the 2020–21 AFC Championship against the Chiefs, when he was fined $15,000 for flipping the ball at Alex Okafor, and in 2023 against the Bengals, when he was fined $10,927 for pointing at an opponent during a touchdown run.
For Moore, the fifth-year receiver, this was his first-ever fine.
In recent years, the NFL has increasingly cracked down on unsportsmanlike conduct. Players must now be especially cautious, as the league can issue fines at any time.
Looking ahead, Allen, Moore, and the Buffalo Bills face off against Miami in Week 10.
Through nine weeks, Allen has led Buffalo to the No. 2 offense in the PFSN Offensive Impact Metric, and with the All-Pro quarterback likely to find the end zone multiple times against the Dolphins, both the NFL and fans will be watching closely to see if he keeps his celebrations in check.