Utes in the Pros: Week 16 Preview, Week 15 Recap
12/23/2021 11:00 AM | Football
Former QB Tyler Huntley shines in second career start against former MVP.
SALT LAKE CITY – In week 16 of the NFL season, 17 former Utes will take the field with their respective teams, five of which reside in the AFC and are vying for one of the seven available playoff spots. The playoff race in the NFC isn't nearly as dramatic but still include two teams that have former Utes on the roster and are just in the outside looking in.
Zack Moss, Star Lotulelei and the Buffalo Bills look to gain some traction on the AFC East leader New England Patriots as they travel to Foxborough, Mass., on Sunday. In their previous matchup three weeks ago, the two teams met for the first time in Buffalo with the division lead on the line and playing in tough weather conditions. At the end of the night the Patriots left with the win and only attempted three passes, the fewest for any team since Buffalo had two attempts back in 1974.
A couple games to circle on this weeks NFL slate include a division showdown in the AFC West and an intriguing matchup on Monday Night Football. On Sunday afternoon, Garett Bolles, Tim Patrick and the Denver Broncos (7-7) visit Jackson Barton and the Las Vegas Raiders (7-7). With playoff berths still on the line, a win will bring either of these teams a step closer to the post season.
On Monday night, Marcus Williams and the New Orleans Saints (7-7) welcome Eric Rowe and the red-hot Miami Dolphins (7-7) into Caesars Superdome. Both teams are currently on the outside of the playoff picture in their respective divisions, but a win will help either team and their playoff chances. Williams has collected 69 tackles this season and is just three shy of setting a new single season career record in tackles. His current best of 72 tackles came during his rookie season in 2017. As for Rowe, the former Utah safety has garnered 69 tackles and is six tackles short of taking the team lead over teammate Jerome Baker.
How to watch your Utes in Week 16 (Active Players)
Week 15 Recap
Four former Utes earned starting nods for their respective teams in week 15. Former Ute defensive end, Nate Orchard, played in his first game of the season after being picked up by the Washington Football Team last week.
Matt Gay continues his stellar play going 2-2 in extra points, 2-2 in field goals and kicking a 55-yard field goal to contribute to the Rams win over the Seattle Seahawks.
Tyler Huntley continues to receive love from the national media after starting at quarterback for the second time this season. Going up against former MVP Aaron Rodgers and the NFC leading Green Bay Packers, Huntley led the Baltimore Ravens down to the wire with a chance to win late in the fourth quarter. Huntley completed 28 of 40 pass attempts for 215 yards and two passing touchdowns. He also added 73 yards on the ground scoring two rushing touchdowns late in the fourth to bring the game within one point and a chance to win on a two-point conversion. The Ravens couldn't convert, falling just short on Huntley's career four touchdown night. In week 15, Huntley finished with the third-best QBR (82.4) right behind Rodgers (84.2) and Jared Goff (93.8). Â
NFL Week 15Â
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Zack Moss, Star Lotulelei and the Buffalo Bills look to gain some traction on the AFC East leader New England Patriots as they travel to Foxborough, Mass., on Sunday. In their previous matchup three weeks ago, the two teams met for the first time in Buffalo with the division lead on the line and playing in tough weather conditions. At the end of the night the Patriots left with the win and only attempted three passes, the fewest for any team since Buffalo had two attempts back in 1974.
A couple games to circle on this weeks NFL slate include a division showdown in the AFC West and an intriguing matchup on Monday Night Football. On Sunday afternoon, Garett Bolles, Tim Patrick and the Denver Broncos (7-7) visit Jackson Barton and the Las Vegas Raiders (7-7). With playoff berths still on the line, a win will bring either of these teams a step closer to the post season.
On Monday night, Marcus Williams and the New Orleans Saints (7-7) welcome Eric Rowe and the red-hot Miami Dolphins (7-7) into Caesars Superdome. Both teams are currently on the outside of the playoff picture in their respective divisions, but a win will help either team and their playoff chances. Williams has collected 69 tackles this season and is just three shy of setting a new single season career record in tackles. His current best of 72 tackles came during his rookie season in 2017. As for Rowe, the former Utah safety has garnered 69 tackles and is six tackles short of taking the team lead over teammate Jerome Baker.
How to watch your Utes in Week 16 (Active Players)
| Date | Game | Time (MT) | TV | Utes to Watch |
| Thurs., Dec. 23Â Â | San Francisco at Tennessee | 6:20 p.m. | NFL | #18 Mitch Wishnowsky (San Francisco) |
| Sat., Dec. 25 | Indianapolis at Arizona | 6:15 p.m. | NFL | #95 Leki Fotu (Arizona) |
| Sun. Dec. 26 | NY Giants at Philadelphia | 11 a.m. | FOX | #28 Devontae Booker (NY Giants) |
| Sun. Dec. 26 | LA Rams at Minnesota  | 11 a.m. | FOX | #8 Matt Gay (LA Rams) |
| Sun. Dec. 26 | Buffalo at New England | 11 a.m. | CBS | #20 Zack Moss (Buffalo) |
| #98 Star Lotulelei (Buffalo) | ||||
| Sun. Dec. 26 | Jacksonville at NY Jets | 11 a.m. | CBS | #40 Javelin Guidry (NY Jets) |
| Sun. Dec. 26 | Detroit at Atlanta | 11 a.m. | FOX | #98 John Penisini (Detroit) |
| Sun. Dec. 26 | Baltimore at Cincinnati  | 11 a.m. | CBS | #2 Tyler Huntley (Baltimore) |
| Sun. Dec. 26 | Chicago at Seattle | 2:05 p.m. | FOX | #57 Cody Barton (Seattle) |
| Sun. Dec. 26 | Denver at Las Vegas  | 2:25 p.m. | CBS | #72 Garett Bolles (Denver) |
| #82 Tim Patrick (Denver) | ||||
| #78 Jackson Barton (Las Vegas) Â | ||||
| Sun. Dec. 26 | Washington at Dallas | 6:20 p.m. | NBC | #53 Francis Bernard (Dallas) |
| #50 Nate Orchard (Washington) | ||||
| Mon., Dec. 27 | Miami at New Orleans | 6:15 p.m. | ESPN | #43 Marcus Williams (New Orleans) |
| #21 Eric Rowe (Miami) | ||||
Week 15 Recap
Four former Utes earned starting nods for their respective teams in week 15. Former Ute defensive end, Nate Orchard, played in his first game of the season after being picked up by the Washington Football Team last week.
Matt Gay continues his stellar play going 2-2 in extra points, 2-2 in field goals and kicking a 55-yard field goal to contribute to the Rams win over the Seattle Seahawks.
Tyler Huntley continues to receive love from the national media after starting at quarterback for the second time this season. Going up against former MVP Aaron Rodgers and the NFC leading Green Bay Packers, Huntley led the Baltimore Ravens down to the wire with a chance to win late in the fourth quarter. Huntley completed 28 of 40 pass attempts for 215 yards and two passing touchdowns. He also added 73 yards on the ground scoring two rushing touchdowns late in the fourth to bring the game within one point and a chance to win on a two-point conversion. The Ravens couldn't convert, falling just short on Huntley's career four touchdown night. In week 15, Huntley finished with the third-best QBR (82.4) right behind Rodgers (84.2) and Jared Goff (93.8). Â
NFL Week 15Â
| Player, Team | Game | Result | Stats |
| Cody Barton, Seattle | at LA Rams | L, 20-10 | Played at LB |
| Francis Bernard, Dallas | at NY Giants | W, 21-6 | Played at LB |
| Garett Bolles, Denver | vs. Cincinnati | L, 15-10 | Started at LT |
| Devontae Booker, NY Giants | vs. Dallas | L, 21-6 | 8 rush, 74 yds, LNG 31, 2 rec, 8 yds |
| Leki Fotu, Arizona | at Detroit | L, 30-12 | 3 tackles, 1 FF |
| Matt Gay, LA Rams | vs. Seattle | W, 20-10 | 2-2 FG, LNG 55, 2-2 XP |
| Javelin Guidry, NY Jets | at Miami | L, 31-24 | 2 tackles |
| Tyler Huntley, Baltimore | vs. Green Bay | L, 31-30 | Started at QB; 28/40 for 215 yds, 2 TD, 13 rush, 73yds, 2 TD |
| Star Lotulelei, Buffalo | vs. Carolina | W, 31-14 | 2 tackles, 1 sack (6 yd loss) |
| Nate Orchard, Washington | at Philadelphia | L, 27-17 | Played at DE |
| Tim Patrick, Denver | vs. Cincinnati | L, 15-10 | Started at WR; 3 rec, 42 yds, 1 TD, LNG 25 yds |
| John Penisini, Detroit | vs. Arizona | W, 30-12 | Played at NT |
| Eric Rowe, Miami | vs. NY Jets | W, 31-24 | 3 tackles |
| Marcus Williams, New Orleans | at Tampa Bay | W, 9-0Â Â | Started at FS; 5 tackles |
| Mitch Wishnowsky, San Francisco | vs. Atlanta | W, 31-13 | 4 punts, 196 yds (49 avg), LNG 60 |
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