Locals In The NFL Divisional Round Recap: Stats, Highlights, And More
Jan 18, 2026, 8:37 PM
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 18: Puka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams in action against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoffs at Soldier Field on January 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
With the NFL Divisional Round wrapped up, just two more Sundays remain in the 2025-2026 season.
Players with ties to the state of Utah made their mark on both sides of the bracket as eight teams fought to keep their Super Bowl ambitions alive.
Get full game and local player performance recaps here!
Championship Sunday is set! #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/1ONNGFZVY1
— NFL (@NFL) January 19, 2026
Locals In The NFL: Divisional Round Recap
Denver Broncos 33 vs. Buffalo Bills 30
The weekend started with the Bills visiting the Mile High City after Denver’s bye week, which they secured as the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
This game took the cake regarding local presence. A total of seven Utah natives and former collegiate athletes suited up at Empower Field on Saturday afternoon.
The Broncos came away with the win in overtime, but the win almost felt like a loss with Bo Nix’s season-ending ankle injury.
For Denver, it started up front as former Utah offensive lineman Garett Bolles allowed zero sacks and zero QB hits. Another former Ute, linebacker Jonah Elliss, finished with three total tackles (two solo) in the win.
On the other end, former Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid was Buffalo’s leading receiver with six catches for 83 yards and a touchdown. Former Ute safety Cole Bishop was the team’s leading tackler with 12 total (seven solo) and two tackles for loss. Former Weber State cornerback Taron Johnson recorded six total tackles (five solo) and a tackle for loss.
Former Utah TE Dalton Kincaid snags his second postseason touchdown and Buffalo now leads 24-23! 🙌#LocalsInTheNFL #BillsMafia #GoUtes @kslsports
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) January 18, 2026
Seattle Seahawks 41 vs. San Francisco 49ers 6
On Saturday night, the biggest blowout of the weekend took place as the No. 1 seed Seattle Seahawks dominated their division rival, the San Francisco 49ers, from start to finish.
The local impact was felt early in this one, as former Weber State wide receiver Rashid Shaheed returned the game’s opening kickoff 95 yards to the house. He went on to finish with 126 return yards and an extra 27 yards on two carries.
Also with Seattle, former Utah defensive end Connor O’Toole had one tackle in his NFL playoff debut.
Just the third game-opening kickoff return TD in NFL playoff history. https://t.co/q2vRSH8qpq
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) January 18, 2026
New England Patriots 28 vs. Houston Texans 16
Sunday’s schedule opened with the prospective offense versus defense matchup as the No. 2-seeded Patriots hosted the No. 5 Houston Texans.
Although the defense did its best to keep up, New England shone on both ends of the ball to come out on top and set up a Patriots-Broncos AFC Championship.
The local presence in this game wasn’t outstanding, especially after former Bingham High tight end Dalton Schultz went down with a calf injury. Before exiting, Schultz caught two passes for 47 yards.
For the Patriots, former BYU defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga came up big with three total tackles (two solo), one sack, one tackle for loss, and two quarterback hits.
TONGA TRUCK @khyiristonga 💪 pic.twitter.com/QJbb6D116v
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 18, 2026
Chicago Bears 17 vs. Los Angeles Rams 20
The final game wrapped up the weekend nicely with its fair share of drama and fireworks.
The Bears’ late comeback ultimately fell short after an untimely Caleb Williams interception in overtime. The 20-17 final score results in Los Angeles traveling to see the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship next weekend.
For Chicago, former Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson recorded three total tackles (two solo). Lined up across from Johnson was former BYU wide receiver Puka Nacua, who finished with five catches for 56 yards. He also added six yards on the ground.
The @RamsNFL are back in the NFC Championship! #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/97YVGTiRPn
— NFL (@NFL) January 19, 2026
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.
