Buffalo Rumblings
Johnson’s play provided the perfect spark for the Bills to claim their eighth win of the season
Buffalo Bills nickel cornerback Taron Johnson has been named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week following a standout performance against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 10. Johnson found out the good news during the team meeting on Wednesday.
At the same time, Johnson understands that this is an award for one week of play, and there’s a lot of football left to go before the real celebrations can begin.
Taron Johnson is one of the NFL’s premiere nickel cornerbacks, often mentioned first on many analysts’ lists. This is the first time Johnson has been named as defensive player of the week. That’s surprising given Johnson’s level of play over the course of seven-plus seasons with the Bills. In terms of career accolades, Johnson was also named a second-team All-Pro in 2023.
On the season, Johnson has 31 tackles, two interceptions, one touchdown, one sack, one forced fumble, and four pass breakups in six games. Though impossible to claim that one player alone impacts the outcome of any NFL game, this season Buffalo is 6-0 when Taron Johnson takes the field.
Against Indianapolis, Johnson got the scoring started early for Buffalo with a 23-yard pick-six off a read he expected to see based off film study. Instead of a completion to wide receiver Josh Downs during the Colts’ first play on offense, quarterback Joe Flacco connected with Johnson, who quickly made his way to the end zone. Overall, Johnson finished with three tackles, one sack, two pass defenses, and the tone-setting interception for six.
Johnson was also the catalyst behind a forced fumble on the Colts’ second drive, using a “peanut punch” to lodge the football loose from the ball carrier. While Indianapolis retained possession, it was short lived. Moments later, Flacco again tossed his second interception — this time to defensive end Austin Johnson. In total, Flacco had four turnovers, with safeties Taylor Rapp (Flacco’s third INT) and Damar Hamlin (Flacco FUM) getting in on the fun.
Johnson is a humble player who leads by example, and he remains focused on the team’s main task of reaching the playoffs and finding postseason success. For Johnson, it’s one game at a time, and there’s little time to reflect on what’s come and gone. Check out all Taron Johnson had to say in his press conference with local media, embedded in the full video below.
