#LocalsInTheNFL Wild Card Recap: Top Performances And Weekly Roundup
Jan 11, 2026, 9:23 PM | Updated: Jan 12, 2026, 9:45 am
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 10: Puka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts after a catch against the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Bank of America Stadium on January 10, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
(Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Wild Card weekend has lived up to its billing with four nail-biters in five games to begin the NFL postseason.
The 2026 Wild Card round has delivered four one-score games, with one more to play as local favorites thrive early in January.
The No. 4 Pittsburgh Steelers are set to host the No. 4 Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium on Monday, January 11. Kickoff is at 6:15 p.m. MT.
Divisional Round matchups:
Saturday:
🏈Bills @ Broncos
🏈49ers @ SeahawksSunday:
🏈Rams @ Bears
🏈Steelers/Texans @ Patriots— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 12, 2026
NFL Locals’ Wild Card: Top Performances, All Stats, And More
Top Local NFL Performances
- Former BYU and Orem WR Puka Nacua exploded for two first-half touchdowns, marking the first time he had accomplished the feat in the NFL. Nacua ended the day with a team-high ten catches for 111 yards. He added 14 yards on three carries in a come-from-behind 34-31 Rams win.
- Former Utah State QB Jordan Love’s three first-half touchdowns weren’t enough in a 31-27 loss to the Chicago Bears. Love finished with 323 yards and four touchdowns in the loss.
- Former Utah TE Dalton Kincaid caught the second touchdown pass of his NFL playoff career. His three catches for 28 yards and a TD helped Buffalo knock off No. 3 Jacksonville 27-24 in a thriller.
In The Statsheet
- Former Utah corner Jaylon Johnson had three tackles and defended two passes in Chicago’s wild, come-from-behind win over the Packers.
- Former Utah LB Devin Lloyd finished with six tackles and a fumble recovery in Jacksonville’s loss to Buffalo.
- Former Utah WR Tim Patrick was targeted once in the Jaguars’ loss.
- Former Utah S Cole Bishop recorded two tackles and was credited with one pass defended in Buffalo’s first road playoff win since 1992.
- Former Weber State S Taron Johnson finished Buffalo’s win with two tackles.
- Former Timpview and Utah WR Britain Covey returned two punts for 61 yards in a 23-19 upset loss to San Francisco.
About #LocalsInTheNFL
For over five years, KSL Sports has provided coverage on all NFL players with ties to the state of Utah.
Whether they attended Utah or BYU or grew up in the Beehive State, we keep you caught up with how the locals are performing on the highest stage.
From highlights to trades and other breaking news, check out our Locals In The NFL coverage here.
Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer for sports.ksl.com. Follow Chandler on X for Utah Jazz and Locals In The NFL updates.
Take us with you, wherever you go.
Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
