Bills Central

Snow way! Ty Johnson's slip costs Bills early TD vs. Bengals

Buffalo Bills' RB Ty Johnson was on his way to a TD against the Cincinnati Bengals when an invisible snowman apparently tackled him.
Ty Johnson
Ty Johnson | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

The Buffalo Bills entered Sunday's game with seven touchdowns on their opening drive, most in the NFL. The Cincinnati Bengals came in allowing eight touchdowns on their opening drive, most in the NFL.

Add up that favorable math and - thanks to an invisible 12th snowman defender who tripped running back Ty Johnson - and somehow the Bills only came away with a field goal.

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After allowing a Bengals' touchdown to fall in a 7-0 hole at snowy, frigid Highmark Stadium, the Bills were humming along with a seeming answer. On 3rd-and-1 rom Cincinnati's 36, Johnson took a hand-off and shot through a huge hole on the right side of the line. He broke free and was seemingly headed toward a game-tying touchdown.

Bills-Bengals
Bills-Bengals | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

But just as Bills Mafia envisioned a "Snow Angel" celebration, Johnson trip, fell and slid to a stop at the 13. After the 23-yard run the drive stalled and Buffalo had to settle for a Matt Prater field goal.

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Upon replay, it wasn't definitive whether Johnson merely stubbed his foot and lost his balance or the dicey footing on the snow-covered field help his stumble. We'd think the Bills - who play as many snow games as any team in the NFL - would have an advantage playing on the white powder.

But Johnson's misstep cost them four points. Meanwhile, Joe "Snow" Burrow is off to a hot start, completing 9 of his first 10 passes as the Bengals have built a 14-11 lead in the second quarter.

Joe Burrow
Joe Burrow | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

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Richie Whitt
RICHIE WHITT

Richie Whitt has been a sports media fixture in Dallas-Fort Worth since graduating from UT-Arlington in 1986. His career is highlighted by successful stints in print (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), TV (NBC5) and radio (105.3 The Fan). During his almost 40-year tenure, he's blabbed and blogged on events ranging from Super Bowls to NBA Finals to World Series to Stanley Cups to Olympics to Wimbledons to World Cups. Whitt has been covering the NFL since 1989, and in 1993 authored The 'Boys Are Back, a book chronicling the Dallas Cowboys' run to Super Bowl XXVII.

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