There will be a solid contingent of Utah connections during the opening round of this year’s NFL playoffs.
There are 34 players with Utah ties on postseason rosters during the 2024 playoffs, and 28 of those are on teams that will be playing during wild-card weekend.
Among the headliners are Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, the former BYU star, and Green Bay Packers Jordan Love, the 2020 first-round selection out of Utah State, as well as Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy, the one-time BYU defensive standout.
Who will make the biggest impact this weekend?
Saturday’s games
Los Angeles Chargers at Houston Texans
- Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. MST
- Venue: NRG Stadium
- TV: CBS
Utah impact: Former Bingham High tight end Dalton Schultz has played well for Houston this season, even if his numbers have dipped a bit from his first year with the Texans in 2023. His 53 receptions is second on the team, and Schultz has added 532 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Former Orem High safety Alohi Gilman returned from injured reserve for the Chargers’ regular-season finale, and he’ll be full-go for the playoffs. He’s started every game he’s played for Los Angeles this season.
Utah ties on Texans roster
- Dalton Schultz, TE, Bingham High
- Kedon Slovis, QB, BYU (on practice squad)
Utah ties on Chargers roster
- Simi Fehoko, WR, Brighton High
- Alohi Gilman, S, Orem High
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens
- Kickoff: 6 p.m. MST
- Venue: M&T Bank Stadium
- TV: Prime Video
Utah impact: Former BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy has been playing some of the best ball of his career for Baltimore and had a career-high 12.5 sacks during the regular season. He should be a factor in Saturday’s playoff game.
Former Utah safety Marcus Williams was benched by the Ravens in Week 11 and restructured his contract earlier this week, an indication his time in Baltimore is near an end, so don’t expect him factoring into the matchup.
Former Utah State, Snow College and East High running back Jaylen Warren had over 800 yards of total offense for Pittsburgh during the regular season, while former Southern Utah safety Miles Killebrew is an All-Pro special teamer for the Steelers.
Utah ties on Ravens roster
- Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU
- Marcus Williams, S, Utah
Utah ties on Steelers roster
- Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah
- Jaylen Warren, RB, Utah State, Snow College and East High
- Eric Rowe, S, Utah (on practice squad)
Sunday’s games
Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills
- Kickoff: 11 a.m. MST
- Venue: Highmark Stadium
- TV: CBS
Utah impact: There are all kinds of Utah ties involved with this AFC playoff matchup.
There are six former University of Utah stars likely to play on either side of this game, headlined by Denver offensive tackle Garett Bolles on one side and Buffalo tight end Dalton Kincaid.
Bolles is making his first playoff appearance in his eighth pro season, while Kincaid is one of the top receiving options in the Bills offense.
There’s also former Utes like Buffalo safety Cole Bishop, Denver linebacker Cody Barton and Denver wide receiver Devaughn Vele who could be involved in key moments Sunday.
Outside of University of Utah ties in this one, former Weber State cornerback Taron Johnson has been a playmaker in Buffalo for years and has a history with making big plays in the playoffs.
Utah ties on Bills roster
- Cole Bishop, S, Utah
- Taron Johnson, CB, Weber State
- Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Utah ties on Broncos roster
- Cody Barton, LB, Utah and Brighton High
- Garett Bolles, OT, Utah, Snow College and Westlake High
- Jonah Elliss, LB, Utah
- Devaughn Vele, WR, Utah
- Zach Wilson, QB, BYU and Corner Canyon High
- Thomas Yassmin, TE, Utah (on practice squad)
Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles
- Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. MST
- Venue: Lincoln Financial Field
- TV: Fox
Utah impact: Former Utah State quarterback Jordan Love looked great in his first playoff appearances last season, leading Green Bay to the divisional round while throwing for 466 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions over two games.
Can he do it again this year?
Love’s stats in his second year as a starter weren’t as good as last season, but he’s proven to be more than capable of delivering a big win when needed
Former BYU safety Zayne Anderson and running back Chris Brooks have also had a couple nice moments this year for Green Bay, though they’re unlikely to be key contributors Sunday.
It’s too bad former Utah and Timpview High star Britain Covey is on injured reserve for Philadelphia.
Utah ties on Eagles roster
- Britain Covey, WR/RS, Utah and Timpview High (on injured reserve)
Utah ties on Packers roster
- Zayne Anderson, S, BYU and Stansbury High
- Chris Brooks, RB, BYU
- Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Washington Commanders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Kickoff: 6 p.m. MST
- Venue: Raymond James Stadium
- TV: NBC
Utah impact: Former Utah State linebacker Bobby Wagner already has a Super Bowl ring, but that feels eons ago when he was a second-year pro with Seattle in 2013.
Of course, the ageless Wagner has become an All-Pro again with Washington, his third team in as many seasons.
It’s been a few years, but Wagner has plenty of playoff experience — he played in 16 postseason games with the Seahawks over eight seasons.
Utah ties on Buccaneers roster
- Sua Opeta, OG, Weber State and Stansbury High (on injured reserve)
Utah ties on Commanders roster
- Michael Davis, CB, BYU
- Bobby Wagner, LB, Utah State
Monday’s game
Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams
- Kickoff: 6 p.m. MST
- Venue: State Farm Stadium, Arizona — game relocated from SoFi Stadium due to Los Angeles area fires
- TV: ESPN
Utah impact: Former BYU and Orem High wide receiver Puka Nacua could easily have the best weekend of any Utah tie — he’s become a face of the franchise for the Rams in just his second NFL season.
Want evidence of that?
He had a rookie NFL record 181 receiving yards and a touchdown on nine receptions in his playoff debut last season.
The Rams were knocked out in the wild-card weekend, though, and Nacua is sure to factor heavily into whether or not Los Angeles can advance this year.
Utah ties on Rams roster
- Puka Nacua, WR, BYU and Orem High
Utah ties on Vikings roster
- Taki Taimani, DL, East High (on injured reserve, designated for return)
- Max Tooley, LB, BYU and Bountiful High (on practice squad)