Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson found himself in an unenviable situation at the end of Monday night's game against the Denver Broncos.
The Broncos were facing a 3rd and 10 from the Bills' 45-yard line with less than a minute to go, hoping to get close enough to attempt a game-winning field goal. Buffalo brought the blitz on the play, resulting in Denver quarterback Russell Wilson's pass falling well short of receiver Jerry Jeudy. However, a controversial pass interference penalty on Johnson brought the Broncos to the red zone, eventually setting up the game-winning kick after another bizarre sequence.
Unsurprisingly, Johnson was not happy about the call after the game.
"We were in cover zero and just playing flat-footed, he runs a vertical, throws up the ball," Johnson told reporters. "To be honest, I don't know how I could've played it better, so it's just, it's a tough call ... I feel like I didn't do anything. I got to him and I looked back for the ball, and I tried to make a play on the ball. So, it's just frustrating."
Johnson then added that he didn't get any explanation from the officials for the call, with them instead just turning him away.
Pass interference penalties on under thrown balls has long been a pet peeve among NFL fans, and Johnson and the Bills were unfortunately the latest victims of such a call. Unfortunately, that call proved to be incredibly costly, as they are now outside the playoff picture at 5-5 and have the league's toughest remaining schedule. As much as the call and the resulting loss stings, Johnson and the Bills now have no choice but to take it and move on.
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