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          Josh Allen's fourth-down TD pass to Johnson extends Bills' lead

          • Alaina Getzenberg, ESPNJan 12, 2025, 02:00 PM ET
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              Alaina Getzenberg is a staff writer who covers the Buffalo Bills and the NFL. She joined ESPN in 2021. Alaina was previously a beat reporter for the Charlotte Observer and has also worked for CBS Sports and the Dallas Morning News. She is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley. You can follow her via Twitter @agetzenberg.

          ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- It took a bit of time for the Buffalo Bills to get going, but after falling behind 7-0 in the first quarter, the Buffalo Bills scored 10 straight points, taking the lead on a 5-yard rushing touchdown by James Cook.

          The Bills scored on their two opening possessions, first with a 26-yard field goal by Tyler Bass after a 12-play drive.

          On the following drive, the Bills' offense went 81 yards on 13 plays, including a 9-yard rush by quarterback Josh Allen on third-and-3 to set up Cook's touchdown.

          The third-year running back had nine carries for 60 yards after his score. Earlier in the drive, Cook had a 16-yard run that gained 12.5 yards after contact, per NFL Next Gen Stats.

          Cook had 3 yards after contact on his touchdown. After his TD, he had 27 rushing yards after contact, already his fourth-highest total in a game this season.

          In the third quarter, Allen found a different way to score on fourth-and-short, throwing a 24-yard touchdown pass to running back Ty Johnson in the back of the end zone.

          The Bills completed a 2-point conversion on a throw from Allen to wide receiver Keon Coleman. The score gave the Bills a 21-7 lead late in the third quarter.

          The touchdown pass had a completion probability of 16%, making it the most unlikely of Allen's career (regular season or postseason), per NFL Next Gen Stats. Allen was forced to scramble under pressure, looking for an available receiver, before locating Johnson in the back of the end zone. The pass was low, and Johnson came down with the ball as he rolled to the ground. He ran all the way from the left side of the field toward the right to get open for Allen.

          The play was reviewed but stood. Allen went 6.78 seconds before throwing the pass, which was Johnson's fourth reception of at least 24 air yards this season and postseason. No other running back has more than one.

          The Bills extended their lead on the following drive as Allen connected with wide receiver Curtis Samuel on a 55-yard touchdown pass. Samuel weaved past defenders to find his way into the end zone and extend the Bills' lead to 28-7.