Top 3 things we learned from Bills vs. Chiefs | Week 6
Things we learned from Bills vs. Chiefs
1 – Taron Johnson comes up clutch
Yes, All-Pro Von Miller came up big late in the game and did what he was signed to do for the Bills with a pair of quarterback takedowns on two of Kansas City's final three possessions, but nickel corner Taron Johnson has made a few big plays as well.
After the Bills offence put them up 24-20, it was up to the defence to keep the lead with 1:04 left and the Chiefs stocked with two timeouts. Kansas City had a new 1st-and-10 at their 30 after a defensive holding call on 1st-and-10 at their own 25.
Matt Milano triggered from his underneath coverage position to close down the width of the passing lane as Patrick Mahomes was flushed out to his right by Miller. Mahomes attempted a sidearm pass to rookie WR Skyy Moore, who was running across the field from left to right.
With 56 seconds left, Taron Johnson peeled off his coverage assignment of JuJu Smith-Schuster and jumped Moore's route to make a leaping interception at the Chiefs' 32-yard line. It was a completely instinctive play at the most crucial moment of the game.
"We were playing zone at the time, and he read it perfectly," Jordan Poyer said of Johnson. "I told him it was one of the best plays I'd ever seen on the field. The situation, the moment, that was an incredible play for this team."
"You have to trust your instincts," said head coach Sean McDermott of Johnson's game-changing performance. "We discussed it briefly prior to the game, and these guys have been practising all week. They work hard, and then we have to let it flow and trust our instincts. Believe your instincts."
Johnson did just that, and he was rewarded with his first interception of the season and his eighth of his career. The Buffalo offence took the field and ran out the clock to seal the four-point victory. It's no surprise to Johnson's teammates, who have seen him return a 51-yard interception for a touchdown on Sunday Night Football and a 101-yard interception for a touchdown in the playoffs.
"Taron has been a guy in the system who we all trust for a long time," Poyer said."We all know he's going to make plays out there." Nobody played flawlessly today, and it was always a case of 'next play, next play, next play.' And, at the end of the day, he made the biggest play of the game, allowing us to win."
"Taron Johnson is a great player," Stefon Diggs said. "During the week, I see him just working on his craft. That's a guy you can rely on to be in the right place at the right time. I told him earlier in the week that he was going to get (an interception), so I'm obviously Miss Cleo."
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