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Former BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy already has two Super Bowl rings, and he’ll get his chance to chase a third after the New England Patriots clinched a playoff spot with a 50-10 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
During Week 17, five NFL teams clinched playoff spots, including four AFC teams. Heading into Week 18, there are just three playoff spots left unclaimed.
Following the Week 17 results, there are 26 Utah ties on rosters of teams that have qualified for this year’s postseason, and that number will jump another 7 to 11 after next week.
Van Noy had four tackles in the Patriots’ postseason-clinching win Sunday, and was among a handful of Utah ties who made an impact in their teams qualifying for the playoffs during Week 17.
Among the others, former Weber State cornerback Taron Johnson had four tackles, a sack and a QB hurry for Buffalo in the Bills’ 29-15 win over Atlanta that keeps the Bills in contention to win the AFC East. Two former Utes also played Sunday for Buffalo, including defensive tackle Star Lotulelei and running back Zack Moss, who had 39 rushing yards.
Utah ties already headed to the postseason
Here’s a look at the Utah ties who are on NFL rosters for teams who have already clinched playoff berths, heading into Week 18:
AFC
(on active roster unless otherwise noted)
Tennessee Titans
- No locals on roster
Kansas City Chiefs
- Zayne Anderson, S, BYU and Stansbury High
- Marcus Kemp, WR, Layton High
- Daniel Sorensen, S, BYU
Cincinnati Bengals
- Jalen Davis, CB, Utah State
- Xavier Su’a-Filo, OG, Timpview High (injured reserve)
Buffalo Bills
- Taron Johnson, CB, Weber State
- Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah, Snow College and Bingham High
- Zack Moss, RB, Utah
New England Patriots
- Harvey Langi, LB, BYU, Utah and Bingham High (injured reserve)
- Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU
NFC
(on active roster unless otherwise noted)
Green Bay Packers
- Tipa Galeai, LB, Utah State
- Bronson Kaufusi, TE, BYU and Timpview High (practice squad)
- Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Los Angeles Rams
- Terrell Burgess, S, Utah
- Matt Gay, K, Utah and Orem High
- Jonah Williams, DE, Weber State (practice squad)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Darwin Thompson, RB, Utah State (practice squad)
- Troy Warner, S, BYU (practice squad)
Dallas Cowboys
- Bradlee Anae, DE, Utah (practice squad)
- Francis Bernard, LB, Utah, BYU and Herriman High
- Simi Fehoko, WR, Brighton High
- Dalton Schultz, TE, Bingham High
Arizona Cardinals
- Kylie Fitts, OLB, Utah (injured reserve)
- Leki Fotu, DT, Utah and Herriman High
Philadelphia Eagles
- Sua Opeta, OG, Weber State and Stansbury High
- Noah Togiai, TE, Hunter High (practice squad)
In contention heading into Week 18
Here are the Utah ties on teams that are still in contention for playoff spots heading into the season’s final week:
AFC
Indianapolis Colts
- Julian Blackmon, FS, Utah and Layton High (injured reserve)
- Chris Wilcox, CB, BYU (practice squad)
- Sam Tevi, OT, Utah (injured reserve)
Los Angeles Chargers
- Michael Davis, CB, BYU
- Kyler Fackrell, LB, Utah State (injured reserve)
- Alohi Gilman, S, Orem High
Las Vegas Raiders
- Jackson Barton, OT, Utah and Brighton High
- Andre James, C, Herriman High
- Dallin Leavitt, S, Utah State and BYU
- Jeremiah Poutasi, OT, Utah (practice squad)
Baltimore Ravens
- Tyler Huntley, QB, Utah
- Ty’Son Williams, RB, BYU
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah
NFC
San Francisco 49ers
- Fred Warner, LB, BYU
- Mitch Wishnowsky, P, Utah
New Orleans Saints
- Kaden Elliss, LB, Judge Memorial High
- Chase Hansen, LB, Utah and Lone Peak High (practice squad)
- Taysom Hill, QB, BYU
- Marcus Williams, FS, Utah
How Utah ties performed during Week 17
Several Utah ties made a significant impact during Week 17 of the NFL season. Here’s a look at how local ties performed:
Rams 20, Ravens 19
Los Angeles
- Terrell Burgess, S, Utah: 18 snaps (all on special teams).
- Matt Gay, K, Utah and Orem High: Missed a field goal of 56 yards, made 2 of 2 point-after attempts; 7 snaps (all on special teams).
Baltimore
- Tyler Huntley, QB, Utah: Started at quarterback, completed 20 of 32 passes, 197 yards, 1 interception, 6 carries 54 yards; sacked 5 times; 71 snaps (all on offense).
- Ty’Son Williams, RB, BYU: 6 snaps (all on special teams).
Bills 29, Falcons 15
Buffalo
- Taron Johnson, CB, Weber State: Started at cornerback; 4 tackles (3 solo); 1 sack for a loss of 7 yards on a third-down play, 1 tackle for loss, 1 QB hurry; 52 snaps (all on special teams).
- Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah, Snow College and Bingham High: 21 snaps (18 on defense, 3 on special teams).
- Zack Moss, RB, Utah: 5 carries, 39 yards; 16 snaps (all on offense).
Atlanta
- No locals on roster.
Bears 29, Giants 3
Chicago
- Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah: Started at cornerback; 4 solo tackles; 57 snaps (56 on defense, 1 on special teams).
- Patrick Scales, LS, Utah State and Weber High: 1 tackle; 10 snaps (all on special teams).
- Khyiris Tonga, DT, BYU and Granger High: Started at fullback; 2 tackles (1 solo); 1 fumble recovery on a third-down play; 30 snaps (1 on offense, 21 on defense, 8 on special teams).
New York
- Devontae Booker, RB, Utah: 18 carries, 46 yards; 31 snaps (27 on offense, 4 on special teams).
Bengals 34, Chiefs 31
Cincinnati
- Jalen Davis, CB, Utah State: Not active for game.
Kansas City
- Zayne Anderson, S, BYU and Stansbury High: 17 snaps (all on special teams).
- Marcus Kemp, WR, Layton High: 26 snaps (3 on offense, 23 on special teams).
- Daniel Sorensen, S, BYU: 3 solo tackles, including 1 for no gain on a third-and-1; 48 snaps (30 on offense, 18 on special teams).
Raiders 23, Colts 20
Las Vegas
- Jackson Barton, OT, Utah and Brighton High: Not active for game.
- Andre James, C, Herriman High: Started at center; 62 snaps (all on offense).
- Dallin Leavitt, S, Utah State and BYU: 2 tackles (1 solo); 31 snaps (10 on defense, 21 on special teams).
Indianapolis
- No locals on active roster.
Patriots 50, Jaguars 10
New England
- Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU: Started at linebacker; 4 tackles (3 solo); 39 snaps (all on defense).
Jacksonville
- Nevin Lawson, CB, Utah State: Not active for game.
Buccaneers 28, Jets 24
Tampa Bay
- No locals on active roster.
New York
- Javelin Guidry, CB, Utah: 19 snaps (7 on defense, 12 on special teams).
- Kai Nacua, S, BYU: 17 snaps (all on special teams).
- Zach Wilson, QB, BYU and Corner Canyon High: Started at quarterback; completed 19 of 33 passes, 234 yards, 1 touchdown (on 9-yard pass in the second quarter), 2 carries, 0 yards; Sacked 1 time; 61 snaps (all on offense).
Titans 34, Dolphins 3
Tennessee
- No locals on roster.
Miami
- Eric Rowe, S, Utah: 2 tackles (1 solo); 15 snaps (all on defense).
Eagles 20, Football Team 16
Philadelphia
- Sua Opeta, OG, Weber State and Stansbury High: 6 snaps (2 on offense, 4 on special teams).
Washington
- Dax Milne, WR, BYU and Bingham High: 1 carry, 1 yard; 6 snaps (all on offense).
- Nate Orchard, DE, Utah and Highland High: 5 snaps (all on special teams).
Chargers 34, Broncos 13
Los Angeles
- Michael Davis, CB, BYU: Started at cornerback; 6 tackles (4 solo); 60 snaps (59 on defense, 1 on special teams).
- Alohi Gilman, S, Orem High: 1 solo tackle; 28 snaps (12 on defense, 16 on special teams).
Denver
- Garett Bolles, OT, Utah, Snow College and Westlake High: Started at left tackle; 63 snaps (60 on offense, 3 on special teams).
- Pita Taumoepenu, LB, Utah and Timpview High: 14 snaps (2 on defense, 12 on special teams).
49ers 23, Texans 7
San Francisco
- Fred Warner, LB, BYU: Started at linebacker; team-high 15 tackles (7 solo), 1 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble; 70 snaps (67 on defense, 3 on special teams).
- Mitch Wishnowsky, P, Utah: 4 punts with 39.8-yard average; 2 inside 20; 9 snaps (all on special teams).
Houston
- No locals on active roster.
Cardinals 25, Cowboys 22
Arizona
- Leki Fotu, DT, Utah and Herriman High: 1 tackle; 35 snaps (27 on defense, 8 on special teams).
Dallas
- Simi Fehoko, WR, Brighton High: Not active for game.
- Dalton Schultz, TE, Bingham High: Started at tight end; 6 receptions, team-high 54 yards; 60 snaps (all on offense).
Saints 18, Panthers 10
New Orleans
- Kaden Elliss, LB, Judge Memorial High: 30 snaps (9 on defense, 21 on special teams).
- Taysom Hill, QB, BYU: Started at quarterback; completed 17 of 28 passes, 222 yards, 1 touchdown (on 12-yard pass in the fourth quarter), 12 carries, team-high 45 yards; Sacked 2 times; 58 snaps (all on offense).
- Marcus Williams, FS, Utah: Not active for game.
Carolina
- Brady Christensen, OT, BYU and Bountiful High: Started at left tackle; 64 snaps (61 on offense, 3 on special teams).
Seahawks 51, Lions 29
Seattle
- Cody Barton, LB, Utah and Brighton High: 7 tackles (5 solo), 1 tackle for loss, 1 QB hurry, 1 pass deflection; 74 snaps (62 on defense, 12 on special teams).
- Bryan Mone, DT, Highland High: 3 tackles (1 solo), 1 pass deflection; 27 snaps (23 on defense, 4 on special teams).
- Bobby Wagner, LB, Utah State: Started at linebacker; Played 1 snap before leaving with an injury.
Detroit
- John Penisini, DL, Utah, Snow College and West Jordan High: 3 tackles (2 solo); 35 snaps (26 on defense, 9 on special teams).
- Penei Sewell, OT, Desert Hills High: Started at right tackle; 63 snaps (all on offense).
- Jamaal Williams, RB, BYU: Started at running back; team-high 11 carries, 22 yards, 1 touchdown (on 1-yard run in the fourth quarter), 3 receptions, 22 yards; 20 snaps (all on offense).
Packers 37, Vikings 10
Green Bay
- Tipa Galeai, LB, Utah State: 1 solo tackle; 27 snaps (11 on defense, 16 on special teams).
- Jordan Love, QB, Utah State: Completed 2 of 4 passes, 19 yards, 2 carries, 9 yards; 12 snaps (all on offense).
Minnesota
- No locals on active roster.
Steelers 26, Browns 14
Pittsburgh
- Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah: Played as a reserve.
Cleveland
- Porter Gustin, DE, Salem Hills High: 2 solo tackles.
- Sione Takitaki, LB, BYU: 3 tackles (2 solo), 1 tackle for loss.