Bills defensive lineman joins franchise history in first quarter vs. Colts
By Brandon Ray
The Buffalo Bills got off to a fast start against the Indianapolis Colts, but it wasn’t because of Josh Allen and the offense. The Buffalo defense has rattled Joe Flacco right from the start and now the Bills defense could become the reason why Buffalo get theirs eighth victory of the season.
The Bills offense started off the game with the ball but ended up punting it away and Sam Martin pinned the Colts down inside their own 10-yard line. On the Colts’ first play on offense, Flacco was intercepted by cornerback Taron Johnson who returned it for a pick-six touchdown to give the Bills an early 7-0 lead. It was the perfect way to start after the punt.
After kicking it off to the Colts, the Bills defense would once again find their way to get into Flacco’s head. The Colts slowly were driving it down the field but then on an attempted screen pass, Flacco was intercepted against by defensive tackle Austin Johnson and it ultimately helped the Bills get a field to give Buffalo a 10-0 lead. It was Johnson's second interception this season, after getting his first overall career interception just a couple weeks ago. Johnson did not have an interceptions throughout high school or college. Now he has two this season alone.
Austin Johnson joins the history books for the Bills with INT
According to the Buffalo Bills PR X account, Johnson’s second interception makes him the third Bills defensive lineman in franchise history to get multiple interceptions. The other two are Johnson’s teammate A.J. Epenesa (2023) and Ron McDole (1968).
Buffalo’s defense has played great football all season long against the pass, but it was their run-defense that was the biggest concern going into this game. Seeing the Buffalo defense make Flacco look silly in the first two Indianapolis drives is a major help to Allen and the offense. For many years, Buffalo’s defense was the reason why the Bills won various games. It looks like that it could be the same storyheadline against the Colts.