Star Lotulelei has 16.5 career regular-season sacks, but the ninth-year NFL veteran had a first-time moment taking down an opponent’s quarterback Saturday night in the Buffalo Bills’ 47-17 win over the New England Patriots in the wild-card playoff game.
The former Utah star who’s in his fourth season with Buffalo powered up the middle on a second-and-7 play in the second quarter to sack New England rookie quarterback Mac Jones.
The 8-yard sack forced a third-and-15 and an eventual punt, then the Bills scored a touchdown on the ensuing possession to take a 27-0 lead late in the first half.
It’s the first career postseason sack for Lotulelei — also a Snow College and Bingham High product — in his eighth career postseason game.
Former Weber State cornerback Taron Johnson started and had five tackles, including four solo stops, while former Utah running back Zack Moss had one carry for no gain for Buffalo. Former BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy started for New England and had three tackles, including one solo stop.
Bengals 26, Raiders 19
There was minimal impact from Utah ties during the Bengals’ win to open wild-card weekend.
Former Herriman High star Andre James started his first career playoff appearance at center for Las Vegas, while former Utah State safety Dallin Leavitt had two tackles, including one solo and another on a third-down play that forced a stop for the Raiders in a losing effort.
Two other Utah ties were inactive for the game, former Utah State cornerback Jalen Davis for Cincinnati and former Utah and Brighton High offensive tackle Jackson Barton for Las Vegas.