Ty Johnson, a third-down running back, was the Buffalo Bills’ top receiver in their victory in Week 15. In a 48-42 victory on the road that snapped the Detroit Lions’ 11-game winning run, Johnson caught all five of his targets and recorded 114 yards receiving and five first downs.
Johnson, who stayed in rhythm with quarterback Josh Allen during multiple scramble drills, caught passes for 33 and 24 yards on Buffalo’s game-opening touchdown drive. His third reception went for 31 yards on a fourth-and-two in the second quarter. “Ty is showing up in several other areas, one of which has been the passing game. I appreciate the idea that he’s embraced some of that and really working hard on being elite in that category,” stated head coach Sean McDermott.
With those three first-half receptions, the Bills running back made at least three 20-yard catches in one game for the first time in over 32 years. Two weeks into the 1992 season, Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas made three such receptions in the infamous “No Punt Game” against the San Francisco 49ers.
According to McDermott, Johnson has the ability to normalise these kinds of performances. James White, a three-time Super Bowl champion, gave the New England Patriots an edge for several seasons, the head coach cited. “Because when you have that kind of trait, James White was really difficult to deal with in the passing game. I mean, I met him before the game out here [when we faced New England]. “Having that kind of player can really help an offence,” McDermott remarked.
White’s incredible effort in Super Bowl LI, which helped the Patriots overcome a 28-3 hole against the Atlanta Falcons, will live on in legend. With 14 receptions for 110 yards and one touchdown, the running back set an SB record. In addition, he ran for two touchdowns, 29 yards, and a crucial two-point conversion. Johnson has established himself as a dependable weapon out of the backfield in his second season with the Bills. Over 21 targets, he has three touchdown receptions and is averaging 17.2 yards per catch. A week ago, Johnson, 27, caught two passes for 55 yards against the Los Angeles Rams.
Since Fred Jackson in 2010, Johnson became the first running back for the Bills to record a 100-yard receiving effort.