A great weekend for the University of Utah football program was capped off by some spectacular performances by multiple Utes in the NFL. Here is your weekly update. Jaylon
A great weekend for the University of Utah football program was capped off by some spectacular performances by multiple Utes in the NFL. Here is your weekly update.
Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears: Johnson was far and away the best player on the field in the Bears 30-12 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders played two quarterbacks, veteran Brian Hoyer, and rookie Aidan O’Connell. The tandem of Vegas signal callers targeted Johnson six times throughout the game. Two of those six throws resulted in an interception, with one being returned for a touchdown. Johnson allowed just two receptions for 16 yards, and when targeted, he allowed an abysmal passer rating of 2.8, on a 158.3 scale. He also added three tackles, with one constituting a failure for the Raider offense, rounding out the best game of his young career. On the season, Johnson has rapidly improved his reputation around the league. He is currently allowing a passer rating of just 22.2 when targeted, which ranks best in the NFL. He is also allowing a completion percentage of just 43.5%. Johnson has shown the ability to dominate at both the line of scrimmage and down the field, displaying the elite blend of physicality and fluid athleticism that made him a force at Utah.
Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills: Like Jaylon Johnson, Dalton Kincaid also had the best game of his career, despite an unfortunate loss to the New England Patriots. Nonetheless, Kincaid received a healthy eight target workload, and he caught all eight, recording 75 yards in the process. Aside from setting career highs in both receptions and receiving yards, Kincaid also set season highs in missed tackles forced, with four, first downs, with four and also yards per route run, averaging 2.59. Kincaid was able to display his well rounded skill set to a tee, making opponents miss in the open field, while proving he is a sure handed target, which has been a recurring theme this season. Kincaid has now caught 25 of 26 targets on the season, and has recorded 193 yards. Week seven was a big step in the right direction for Kincaid, who will see even more volume as the campaign continues due to Dawson Knox suffering a wrist injury.
Devin Lloyd, Jacksonville Jaguars: Lloyd followed up a tremendous week six outing with his best performance of the season in the Jaguars thrilling 31-24 downing of the Saints. In the win, Lloyd recorded ten total tackles, with eight being solo and five being counted as a stop. Lloyd was extremely efficient at tackling, not missing a single one of his attempts. He was arguably just as impressive in coverage, allowing fourteen yards on four targets. Lloyd also was able to force a pass breakup, his second of the season and allowed a passer rating below 100 when targeted for his third straight appearance. As for the entire body of work, Lloyd has excelled at breaking up passes, as he has six to his name for the campaign, most of any NFL linebacker. Lloyd has become much more comfortable in his second NFL season, and is on track to become a centerpiece of Jacksonville’s franchise.
Garett Bolles, Denver Broncos: Garett Bolles continued his impressive 2023 campaign with another clean performance in the Broncos 19-17 win over the Green Bay Packers. Bolles played 59 snaps in the contest, and in terms of pass blocking, he could not have performed any better, as he allowed zero pressures and in turn zero sacks. Bolles has successfully not allowed a sack in each of Denver’s last five games, and has allowed only one all season despite playing over 400 snaps. He is in the midst of an incredible campaign, and has also taken on a more involved role in the locker room, being one of the longest tenured Broncos
Julian Blackmon, Indianapolis Colts: Blackmon continued what has been a great run of form in the Colts 39-38 loss to the Cleveland Browns. He played 75 snaps in the contest, recording six total tackles, with four being solo and three constituting a failure for the Browns offense. Blackmon made his presence felt most in coverage though, allowing just two receptions for twelve yards while recording an interception and a pass breakup, his second and first of the season. On the interception, he displayed elite sideline to sideline speed and ball skills, stepping right in front of the intended wide receiver at full speed, picking off Deshaun Watson’s bullet pass. Blackmon has played extremely sound football as of late, and it is evident how much his prior experience has benefited his approach, as he is missing just 7.3% of his tackle attempts, and is allowing a passer rating of just 62.3 when targeted. He has played at least sixty snaps in each game this season, and will continue to see a heavy dose of playing time due to his high level of play.
Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts: Moss struggled to find consistent running room in the Colts closely contested loss to the Browns. He received 18 carries, but was only able to record 57 yards on the day. Much of the blame is to be put on the offensive line though, as Moss averaged just 0.6 yards before first contact per carry. Moss was able to force three missed tackles and his longest run went for 21 yards. As a pass catcher, Moss hauled in his lone target for five yards, and on the season has recorded 115 yards and a touchdown on fifteen receptions. Moss will continue to split the backfield with Jonathan Taylor, and the tandem’s skill sets complement each other well, as both backs can catch passes and churn out yards after contact at a high level.
Matt Gay, Indianapolis Colts: Matt Gay made all five of his extra point attempts, and one of his two field goal attempts in the Colts loss. The field goal he made was from 27 yards out, and the one he missed was not his fault whatsoever, as Browns defensive end Myles Garrett made a superhuman play, hurdling the Colts’ line and blocking Gay’s attempt. While this was one of Gay’s less involved performances, he is still having a fantastic year, knocking through all of his PAT attempts and twelve of fourteen field goal attempts.
Cody Barton, Washington Commanders: Barton played just eight snaps in the Commanders loss to the Giants. He suffered a lower body injury, though the severity of the injury does not appear to be immense, and he is not expected to miss a long period of time.
Mitch Wishnowsky, San Francisco 49ers: Mitch Wishnowksy punted just once in the 49ers loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Wishnowsky’s lone punt was a 62 yard attempt that was returned for four yards. On the season, he has punted 22 times, with his average attempt netting 44.2 yards and being in the air for 4.48 seconds. Wishnowsky has been quite accurate with his leg, as twelve of his 22 punts have been downed inside the twenty yard line. Per Pro Football Focus, Wishnowsky holds the second best punting grade in the NFL, boasting a grade of 82.6 and only trailing Atlanta’s Bradley Pinion.
Leki Fotu, Arizona Cardinals: Fotu played 22 snaps in the Cardinals 20-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, and had an efficient game relative to his workload. Fotu recorded one pressure as a pass rusher, while also adding two stops, one on each of his tackles. Fotu has been a steady presence for the Arizona defensive line, playing at least 20 snaps in all but one game, and over 40 in three.
