For Buffalo Bills fans, it was THE MOMENT and it was a long time in the making.
It was a primetime Divisional Round playoff game (with NBC’s Al Michaels on the call) at the stadium formerly known as The Ralph.
One week after the franchise’s first playoff victory since the 1995 season, the Bills were hosting the red-hot Baltimore Ravens – a team that had won six straight games, including a 20-13 road victory over Tennessee in the AFC Wild Card Round.
The Bills offense had only mustered one touchdown through almost three full quarters and their 10-3 lead was in jeopardy.
With the Ravens facing a 3rd-and-Goal from the Bills’ 9-yard line, nickel cornerback Taron Johnson (from DI FCS Weber State) etched himself into franchise history.
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson was aiming for Mark Andrews in the end zone, but Johnson stepped up toward the goal line and made the interception with room to run.
As Johnson approached mid-field, I started screaming to my 7-year old son, “He’s GONNA SCORE. HE’S GONNA SCORE!!!”
Johnson’s 101-yard interception return touchdown gave the Bills a 17-3 lead in the final minute of the third quarter and it seemed to emotionally defeat the Ravens. Baltimore would lose its quarterback to injury on its next possession, but with or without Jackson, there was no way they were beating the Bills after Johnson’s Pick 6 for the ages.
Allowing the Bills to advance to the AFC Championship Game for the first time since 1993, the unforgettable play immediately ranks amongst the top moments in franchise history.
ralphventre 