Buffalo Bills' cornerback does something no Bills defensive back has ever done in big road victory
Taron Johnson is the most important player on the Buffalo Bills defense. More than Terrel Bernard, more than Greg Rousseau, more than Christian Benford. Johnson is the Swiss army knife of the defense that anchors how the secondary plays, blanketing opposing wide receivers and tight ends, while stepping down into the box in run support. […]
Taron Johnson is the most important player on the Buffalo Bills defense. More than Terrel Bernard, more than Greg Rousseau, more than Christian Benford. Johnson is the Swiss army knife of the defense that anchors how the secondary plays, blanketing opposing wide receivers and tight ends, while stepping down into the box in run support. As the nickel, he has to be able to do a little bit of everything, and he does it as well as anyone.
Johnson has a nose for the ball, and Sunday's performance showcased just how special he is. Against the Colts, Johnson intercepted Joe Flacco's first pass attempt and returned it for a touchdown. Later in the game, logging a sack, he became the first Bills defensive back ever to have a pick-six and a sack in the same game.
Johnson is that dude. His presence is felt each and every week, and he needs to be in the conversation among the elite of the elite defensive players in the NFL.
The defense as a whole led the way in this game, recording three interceptions and logging four sacks, as well as forcing two fumbles. On a day where the offense was missing two of their top-three wide receivers with Keon Coleman and Amari Cooper sidelined, the defense needed to step up, and they did.
"I know we're banged up on offense, but the defense came out, and especially in that second half, made a lot of plays, and I feel like that helped us win," Johnson said.
"I thought that the defense and the takeaways was a big time difference in the game," head coach Sean McDermott said after the game.
The Bills have a team that can win in a variety of ways. Sometimes, it's going to be Josh Allen that puts the team on the back. At others, James Cook and the running attack will run through and over defenses to establish the tone. In other circumstances, Johnson and the defense will make life difficult for opposing quarterbacks. You can't just take one element away from this team and count them out.
The Bills are 8-2, and now the eyes begin to turn to next weekend's massive home matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Follow along all season for all the latest Buffalo Bills news. You can also find me on X @JonHelmkamp.
