NFL Fans React to Controversial 4th Down Touchdown Catch by Bills RB Ty Johnson

Was it a catch?

Johnson gave the Bills a two-score lead over the Broncos. | Screenshot via @NFLonCBS on X.

With just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter of Sunday's game from Buffalo, the Bills and quarterback Josh Allen faced 4th and 1 from the Denver 24-yard-line against the Broncos defense.

Up by six points at the time, head coach Sean McDermott and offensive coordinator Joe Brady decided to go for it and let Allen work his magic—which he did. The quarterback bought some time, rolled right, and found running back Ty Johnson across the back of the endzone for a touchdown.

Check out the highlight reel-worthy play here:

WOW.

📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/hwHQskhBo3

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 12, 2025

With Johnson just barely staying in the end zone, the sliding catch gave Buffalo a 21-7 lead over Denver—and also garnered quite the reaction from NFL fans watching. Here's a look at the response from X (formerly Twitter):

An absolutely ridiculous catch by Ty Johnson. He immediately secured the catch and had one knee down in-bounds just prior to his foot tapping out of bounds.

📺 #DENvsBUF pic.twitter.com/s758R2n4Ai

— Gene Steratore (@GeneSteratore) January 12, 2025

Ty Johnson in the back of the end zone: pic.twitter.com/mozqgDz7zP

— Carter Donnick (@CDonnick1) January 12, 2025

If Ty Johnson wore black cleats I feel like this would’ve been overturned.

Cant see if the white shoe hit the white turf. Brutal pic.twitter.com/N5p3EGmjK2

— Scotty Gange (@Scotty_G6) January 12, 2025

Josh Allen connects with Ty Johnson on his 22nd career postseason passing TD, surpassing Jim Kelly (21) for the most passing TDs in franchise playoff history. pic.twitter.com/ON9ODHivEL

— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) January 12, 2025

Unbelievable catch by Ty Johnson pic.twitter.com/IuFgoMKU3g

— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) January 12, 2025

Ty Johnson's spectacular catch resume would go up against any receiver's this year, my goodness

— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) January 12, 2025

Ty Johnson with a touchdown catch in the back of the end zone. @kfitz134 @TBNSports #Billmafia @gggaughan pic.twitter.com/z6HAW1yKNo

— Joshua Bessex (@Bessex_Joshua) January 12, 2025

Ty Johnson loops allllll the way around before making incredible touchdown catch, dots!@NextGenStats pic.twitter.com/5Q5DcW4IG7

— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) January 12, 2025

I want Ty Johnson to be a Bill for the next 10 years

— Maddy Glab (@MadGlab) January 12, 2025

"We'll give you that Ty Johnson TD. Are we square?" pic.twitter.com/ihF4a8CqnF

— Underdog (@UnderdogFantasy) January 12, 2025

absolutely absurd throw from Josh Allen. No stepping it 43 yards in the air and giving Ty Johnson a chance to make a great catch. https://t.co/psW5KeWpWv

— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) January 12, 2025

Ty Johnson turns into a super saiyan when plays go off script

— Anthony Cover 1 (@Pro__Ant) January 12, 2025

*Ty Johnson appreciation post* pic.twitter.com/1ehEy5Z00W

— Primetime Adam (@AdamZientek3) January 12, 2025

Ty Johnson needs a nickname

— Labatt Blue Light (@LabattUSA) January 12, 2025

Ty Johnson just ran 67.9 yards for this INSANE fourth-down TD, per @NextGenStats 🤯🤯🤯

📺: #DENvsBUF on CBS/Paramount+
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/Z3GBiJ1p9z

— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) January 12, 2025

Allen's pass to Johnson was the quarterback's 22nd career postseason touchdown pass, surpassing Jim Kelly for the most in the Bills' franchise playoff history.

With a win on Sunday, Buffalo will advance to the division round in the AFC playoffs, setting them up to host the Baltimore Ravens next weekend.

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