Tag: Taron Johnson

Bills vs. Lions: Teammates react to another Josh Allen showcase

Bills vs. Lions: Teammates react to another Josh Allen showcase

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen impresses a lot of people, including the ones that know him best.

Allen played a huge role with four touchdown passes against the Detroit Lions (12-2) in a 48-42 win for the Bills (11-3) in Week 15.

Allen had another multi-touchdown effort with four this time. The MVP conversation continues to grow, including in his own locker room.

Allen’s teammates reacted to another big game from the QB in Detroit. Plenty of praise was found.

“Josh is the best player in the league,” cornerback Taron Johnson said.

‘”It’s hard to describe,” tight end Dawson Knox added. “Sometimes you just turn into a fan.”

A roundup of reaction from the Bills locker room on Allen can be found in the WKBW-TV clip below:

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Bills at Lions: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 15

Bills at Lions: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 15

The Buffalo Bills will travel to face the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Week 15.

For this cross-conference battle between Sean McDermott’s Bills (10-3) and Dan Campbell’s Lions (12-1), it will be the games, within the game, that will make all the difference.

Here are three key matchups to watch during Sunday’s Bills-Lions contest:

CB Taron Johnson vs. WR Amon-Ra St. Brown

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This is going to be a battle of the slot heavyweights. Johnson and St. Brown are two of the best in that area and this will be a top-tier matchup.

WR Keon Coleman vs. CB Terrion Arnold

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Coleman is looking like he’s going to return from his wrist injury against the Lions. While Carlton Davis III has performed well as Detroit’s top cornerback, Pro Football Focus has Terion Arnold as their 102nd ranked corner among 118 qualifying players. Coleman could thrive.

OL Dion Dawkins vs. DE Za’Darius Smith

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While the Lions are down Aiden Hutchinson, they are not down Smith. He could end up being lined up against the Dawkins and… Dawkins has performed at an elite level this year.

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Bills at Rams: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 14

Bills at Rams: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 14

The Buffalo Bills will travel across the country to face the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Week 14.

For this cross-conference battle between Sean McDermott’s Bills (10-2) and Sean McVay’s Rams (6-6), it will be the games, within the game, that will make all the difference.

Here are three key matchups to watch during Sunday’s Bills-Rams contest:

CB Taron Johnson vs. WR Cooper Kupp

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The battle in the slot will feature All-Pro caliber players who have been around the NFL for a while. Taron Johnson is in his eighth year and is coming off of his first-career All-Pro selection last year (second-team). Cooper Kupp is in his ninth year and has an All-Pro selection under his belt as well (first-team in 2021).

Kupp continues to see the majority of his snaps in the slot. According to Pro Football Focus, Kupp has seen 278 slot snaps and 151 wide snaps this year.

Johnson will have his hands full. Not only is Kupp still a reliable route runner and pass catcher, but he has the ultimate trust and chemistry with quarterback Matt Stafford. The two won a Super Bowl together in 2022 and connected for the go-ahead touchdown in that game. A few wins from either side of this matchup could make a big difference.

Bills offensive line vs. Rams defensive line

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Both the Bills offensive line and the Rams defensive line have had outstanding seasons to this point. Both have outperformed their expectations this year.

Heading into Week 14, both the Bills O-line and Rams D-line rank as the sixth-best unit on their respective side of the ball according to PFF.

Los Angeles has posted the league’s best quarterback pressure rate (39.8%) according to Next Gen Stats. Buffalo, on the other hand, has allowed the league’s fewest sacks this year (13), including zero over their last two games.

Something has to give. The battle in the trenches when the Bills have the ball will be one of the better matchups around the NFL and will play a big role in the outcome of the game.

RB James Cook vs. Rams front-seven

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If the Bills can get running back James Cook rolling on the ground like they did last week (107 yards on 7.6 yards per carry), then it will keep the Rams’ impressive pass rush honest. And, although the Rams can get after the quarterback, they have their holes in the run game.

They rank 21st in the NFL in defense rushing DVOA, while ranking 22nd in EPA/rush. On top of that, they allow the fifth-most yards after contact per rush (3.25), according to Next Gen Stats.

Buffalo and offensive coordinator Joe Brady have found a lot of success on the ground this year (4th in rush DVOA). If they can get going once again, it will be worrisome for Los Angeles.

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Bills’ Taron Johnson breaks down Chiefs’ Travis Kelce

Bills’ Taron Johnson breaks down Chiefs’ Travis Kelce

In facing the Kansas City Chiefs, the Buffalo Bills are going to do their best to not make the occasion bigger than it already is.

Head coach Sean McDermott already dusted off his trademark line, “Control what we can control,” this week at his video conference.

Even so, the Bills (8-2) will have to deal with Travis Kelce when the Chiefs (9-0) come to town on Sunday.

Kelce’s reputation as one of the best playmakers in the NFL is deserved but if Buffalo is going to “control” him, plenty of that responsibility will involve plenty of Taron Johnson.

Johnson is well aware what it’s like to face Kelce having done so plenty of times in both the regular season and postseason.

“He’s such a smart player,” Johnson said. “He knows his angles, really good at leverage.”

“I feel like Patrick Mahomes is on the same page as him,” Johnson added. “I feel like that’s the biggest thing, how smart of a player [Kelce] is, how smart Patrick is.”

The Kansas City tight end averages 4.85 catches per outing against Buffalo and 62.8 yards. Worth noting, those numbers also include his early, not-as-productive years which predated Mahomes lining up as his QB.

Even so, those are still good numbers the Bills will want avoid giving up in Week 11.

For more from Johnson on defending Kelce, see the attached clip below:

 

One more time: Taron Johnson’s ‘Play of the Week’ in Bills vs. Colts

One more time: Taron Johnson’s ‘Play of the Week’ in Bills vs. Colts

The Buffalo Bills have a huge clash upcoming against the Kansas City Chiefs. It’s the Game of the Week in the NFL’s Week 11 slate.

But before we fully put our attention on that next contest, let’s take one more look back at the “Play of the Week” in Week 10.

Truly, because Bills cornerback Taron Johnson was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week following his team’s 30-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts… and one massive play from him went a long way into winning that honor.

On the first snap the Colts conducted on offense, Johnson notched a pick-six interception on quarterback Joe Flacco.

Check out Johnson’s effort one more time in the clip below:

Bills CB Taron Johnson named AFC Defensive Player of the Week

Bills CB Taron Johnson named AFC Defensive Player of the Week

Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson has been honored by the NFL for his efforts in Week 10 against the Indianapolis Colts.

In that 30-20 win for the Bills (8-2), Johnson played a big role. His game was highlighted by a pick-six interception and a sack against Colts quarterback Joe Flacco.

Following the outing, Johnson has been named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 10:

In recording a pick-six and sack, the 28-year-old became the first defensive back in team history to put together such an outing.

In total, Johnson had three tackles including one for loss against the Colts. The DPOTW honor is the first in Johnson’s career.

The Bills have five total Player of the Week honors so far in 2024. Most recently, kicker Tyler Bass won the Special Teams Player of the Week Award last week against the Miami Dolphins.

Bills’ Taron Johnson credits studies for pick six: ‘I’ve seen that play before’

Bills’ Taron Johnson credits studies for pick six: ‘I’ve seen that play before’

The Bills beat the Colts 30-20 on Sunday, thanks in part to an early defensive takeaway by nickel Taron Johnson.

Buffalo had a strong day on defense, and the effort was highlighted by an early pick-six by the corner.

 

Johnson helped to set the tone for the game on the defensive side of the ball with the big play, but also in his overall performance.

He had three tackles, a sack, one tackle for loss, and two pass deflections as well.

“I’m not sure what he was seeing,” Johnson said of opposing QB Joe Flacco’s read on the pick. “But I’ve seen that play before . . . against a different team, and I played it differently. I mean, we [were] in a different call too. In the game I’ve seen it, I played it differently, and I feel like they were expecting me to play it a different way. And, I took the ball. After that, I scanned the field and took it to the house.

I’ve seen that play before… I feel like they were expecting me to play it a different way and took the ball.”

They were also without receivers Keon Coleman and Amari Cooper on offense, so the defense stepped up.

“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 added.

On the day, the Bills offense had three interceptions total, along with four sacks and two forced fumbles.

Much to the approval of head coach Sean McDermott.

“I thought that the defense and the takeaways was a big time difference in the game, and then also getting momentum back after our turnovers with some key stops and fourth down stops”, McDermott said. “We were able to make them (Colts) one-dimensional, which was important for us. It was a resilient win overall. Very resilient win.”

With Tyler Bass going a perfect six for six, special teams and defense held up their end.

“I think they’re just a very competitive group,” McDermott added. “They take a lot of pride in not letting each other down.”

Bills go up on Colts as Joe Flacco throws pick-six to Taron Johnson

Taron Johnson has the Bills off to a quick start thanks to a pick-six

The Buffalo Bills were out fast on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts thanks to their defense.

Joe Flacco threw the pass that went right to the Bills’ Taron Johnson.

Once he made the interception, Johnson knew what to do and headed for the end zone.

Twenty-three yards later, he was in the end zone and after the PAT, the Bills led, 7-0.

Bills vs. Colts: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 10

Bills vs. Colts: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 10

The Buffalo Bills (7-2) will face the Indianapolis Colts (4-5) on the road in their upcoming Week 10 matchup.

The games within the game will make all the difference for the Bills as they try to win in Indianapolis for the first time since 1999.

Here are three key matchups to watch during Sunday’s Bills-Colts contest:

Bills front seven vs. Jonathan Taylor

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The Bills’ front seven has been inconsistent this year in defending the ground game, and they have been under the microscope this week after allowing the Miami Dolphins to run all over them. Running backs De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert each averaged over five yards per carry and combined for 119 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. Now, they have Jonathan Taylor to worry about.

Taylor has been one of the best backs in the NFL when healthy since he entered the league. This year he is averaging an impressive 4.8 yards per carry and is 19th in the NFL in rushing yards (502), just ahead of James Cook (496).

The Bills will need execution and effort from their front seven throughout the game to keep Taylor in check. Guys like DaQuan Jones, Ed Oliver, and Greg Rousseau will be counted on to make an impact at the line of scrimmage.

CB Taron Johnson vs. WR Josh Downs

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Slot cornerback Taron Johnson, a second-team All-Pro last year, will be tested by a young up-and-comer in Week 10. Second-year wide receiver Josh Downs operates out of the slot and has quickly gained rapport with quarterback Joe Flacco.

In four games together this year, Downs has averaged 9.75 targets, 7.5 receptions, and 69.25 receiving yards per contest. He has the most catches from Flacco by a decent margin and has been the most-targeted receiver in all four games.

Johnson has a tough task with keeping tabs on Downs and also being ready to head downhill to tackle Taylor in the running game. It’s a tall task but that’s nothing new for one of the best nickel corners in the game.

QB Joe Flacco vs. Bills pass coverage

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We could more widely talk about the playcalling duel between Shane Steichen and Bobby Babich, but let’s zoom in a bit. Flacco vs the Bills’ coverage will be a chess match to watch.

Flacco has been around the block. In his 17th year, he is still proving he can be effective. He has seven touchdowns and two interceptions through four games played, and his 94.5 passer rating ranks 14th in the NFL.

The Bills passing defense struggled against the Dolphins last week as Tua Tagovailoa completed 89% of his passes. The Bills currently rank middle-of-the-pack in passing defense DVOA (15th).

The defense might have a little bit of an easier day if WR Michael Pittman Jr. can’t play due to injury, but what would really help them is having more of a pass rush.

PFF: Highest-graded Bills players on defense vs. the Seahawks

PFF: Highest-graded Bills players on defense vs. the Seahawks

The Buffalo Bills defeated the Seattle Seahawks on the road in Week 8, 31-10.

Statistics might help determine who played well or not, and so may the eye test. But, let’s take it a step further with some help from the analytics folks at Pro Football Focus.

Using PFF grades from Week 8, here are the five highest-graded players from the Bills (6-2) defense against the Seahawks (4-4).

PFF grade: 74.6.

PFF grade: 75.7.

PFF grade: 77.4.

PFF grade: 82.2.

PFF grade: 86.3.