The Joe Burrow we all know and love came out when he was needed most during an intense Bengals practice

The gamers always shine when the competitive juices get flowing. These are the times when Joe Burrow reaches another level.

Wednesday's practice at Cincinnati Bengals training camp had plenty of animosity. At least four scuffles broke out between players sick and tired of practicing against one another. Two weeks of camp monotony before an actual preseason game will lead to that.

When the situation was at its most tense, Burrow was at his best. One play undeniably proved that.

On the third 11-on-11 drive of the afternoon, not long after a skirmish between center Ted Karras and linebacker Logan Wilson, the Bengals' offense was too keen on getting pushed around by their edgy counterparts. Karras had a message for his quarterback to start the drive.

“I remember being in the huddle like, ‘Man, Joe, put one right in the end zone right here,’” Karras said to Cincinnati.com's Charlie Goldsmith . “And that’s what he did.”

What Burrow did was throw a strike to Tee Higgins for a touchdown. 65 yards in one play, no marching down the field at the risk of more tensions flaring. Just a statement to the defense.

Burrow and Higgins have been seamlessly connecting all training camp long. They aren't the kind to start any extracurriculars after the play. They just make the plays themselves.

In a regular setting, Higgins is probably getting hit hard by safety Jordan Battle , who pulled up right after the catch was made.

In practice, when there were already enough unnecessary hits to go around, all Battle could do is watch Higgins go by him.

That was just one of several top notch throws made by Cincinnati's quarterback. By pretty much all accounts, it was Burrow's best day of practice. It should be no surprise that it came on a day when things started to feel real on the field. When tempers were flaring, the great equalizer under center was balling.

Week 1 of the regular season is still a month away, but the real Joe Burrow looks ready to go right now.

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