The Buffalo Bills faced a critical decision in the third quarter of their wild-card showdown against the Denver Broncos. With an opportunity to increase their lead to nine points, the Bills opted to forgo a field goal attempt and instead went for it on a fourth-and-1 in Denver’s territory.
In a departure from their usual strategy of relying on Josh Allen’s rushing abilities, the Bills decided to take to the air. Initially, Allen found himself under pressure as he scrambled to his right, contemplating a run as no receivers were open downfield.
The Broncos’ defense showed discipline as they closed off Allen’s running lanes, forcing him to make a downfield throw under duress. Pointing downfield, Allen directed running back Ty Johnson to position himself at the back line of the end zone before releasing the ball.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Johnson displayed remarkable skill by managing to secure the ball while sliding and avoiding touching the back line with his feet or legs. The impressive catch by Johnson provided the Bills with a pivotal touchdown, shifting the momentum in their favor.
Before his touchdown catch, Johnson had minimal involvement in the game, with only two carries for 12 yards. His increased role came following an injury to backup running back Ray Davis, who exited the game after a head injury earlier in the drive.
The touchdown reception by Johnson, coupled with Keon Coleman’s successful two-point conversion catch, put the Bills in a commanding position, requiring the Broncos to score two touchdowns to equalize. The Bills extended their lead to 14 points, setting the stage for a potential victory and a matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round.
The play marked a milestone for Josh Allen, as it became his 22nd career passing touchdown in the playoffs, surpassing Hall of Famer Jim Kelly for the most passing touchdowns in Bills postseason history. This achievement underscored Allen’s growing legacy as a key figure in Bills’ playoff success.
As the Bills continued their quest for a wild-card triumph, the team’s performance, highlighted by Johnson’s spectacular touchdown catch, showcased their determination and resilience in pursuit of a deep playoff run.
