Locals in the NFL: Zayne Anderson helps Packers to playoff-clinching shutout over Saints

AROUND THE SHIELD — Utah native Zayne Anderson's four-year grind in the NFL celebrated a career-first Monday night in the Green Bay Packers' win over the New Orleans Saints.

The former BYU safety started his first game at safety with his second NFL team, but the one-time Stansbury High standout didn't stop there.

Anderson had three tackles and two passes defended, including hauling in his first career interception as the Packers shut out the Saints 34-0 to clinch a playoff berth on ESPN's Monday Night Football.

It's the second shutout of head coach Matt LaFleur's Packers tenure, and the first since blanking Seattle 17-0 in 2021.

"It's what you work for," said Anderson as his number was called more and more two weeks ago before starting in place of the injured Evan Williams. "It's been a long time coming, and when opportunity comes, you've got to take advantage of it."

Anderson wasn't the only BYU or local product whose fingerprints were all over Green Bay's latest win. Former BYU running back Chris Brooks ran for 23 yards on six carries, including his first touchdown in the league.

Brooks lined up with just under seven minutes remaining in the second quarter next to Jordan Love, the former Utah State quarterback who completed 16-of-28 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown before stepping aside to let backup quarterback Malik Willis guide the game's final touchdown drive in the fourth quarter en route to the postseason bid.

"It's big-time," Love said after the game. "Obviously, the goal is the Super Bowl and that's the first step right there, making the playoffs. ... This was a big-time game to clinch that spot, and I'm proud of the way we come out here and handled business."

Here's how other former Utah high school and college football standouts performed in Week 16 of the 2024 NFL regular season.

Monday Night Football

Green Bay 34, New Orleans 0

Packers (11-4)

• Jordan Love, QB, Utah State: Starting quarterback completed 16-of-28 passes for 182 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown in the first quarter
• Zayne Anderson, S, BYU/Stansbury: Starting safety made three tackles with an interception on two passes defended
• Chris Brooks, RB, BYU: Reserve running back ran for 23 yards on six carries, including a 1-yard touchdown

Saints (5-10)

• Dallin Holker, TE, BYU/Lehi (via Colorado State): Starting tight end also played on special teams
• Jamaal Williams, RB, BYU: Reserve tailback had three carries for eight yards, and returned three kickoffs for 78 yards

Sunday Night Football

Dallas 26, Tampa Bay 24

Cowboys (7-8)

• Nick Vigil, LB, Utah State/Fremont: Starting linebacker posted team-high 10 tackles, including five solo stops

Buccaneers (8-7)

• No locals on the active roster

Sunday afternoon

Cincinnati 24, Cleveland 6

Bengals (6-8)

• Ryan Rehkow, P, BYU: Punted four times for 206 yards (51.5 yards per punt) with a long of 62 yards and one punted downed inside the 20
• Tanner McLachlan, TE, Southern Utah (via Arizona): Reserve tight end also played on special teams
• Jay Tufele, DT, Bingham (via USC): Reserve defensive tackle made one stop with one quarterback hit

Browns (3-11)

• Mohamoud Diabate, LB, Utah: Starting linebacker made four tackles on defense, two stops on special teams
• Winston Reid, LB, Weber State/Copper Hills: Starting linebacker made one tackle on special teams

Atlanta 34, New York 7

Falcons (8-7)

• Tyler Allgeier, RB, BYU: Reserve tailback ran for 22 yards on 11 carries, caught one pass for 9 yards
• Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah: Reserve cornerback had a pass defended
• Kaden Elliss, LB, Judge Memorial (via Idaho): Starting linebacker racked up a team-high seven tackles, a sack, two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble

Giants (2-13)

• No locals on the active roster

Detroit 34, Chicago 17

Lions (12-2)

• Penei Sewell, OT, Desert Hills (via Oregon): Started at right tackle
• Sione Vaki, RB, Utah: Reserve running back caught two passes for 20 yards, and returned two kickoffs for 55 yards
• Tim Patrick, WR, Utah: Starting wide receiver was targeted once
• Jonah Williams, DE, Weber State: Inactive for Week 16

Bears (4-10)

• Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah: Starting cornerback had three tackles
• Braxton Jones, OT, Southern Utah/Murray: Started at left tackle before leaving with an injury (ankle)
• Noah Sewell, LB, Orem (via Oregon): Inactive for Week 16

Indianapolis 38, Tennessee 30

Colts (7-8)

• Blake Freeland, OT, BYU/Herriman: Reserve tackle also played on special teams
• Julian Blackmon, S, Utah/Layton: Starting safety made three tackles
• Matt Gay, K, Utah/UVU/Orem: Kicked a 31-yard field goal and five PATs with one tackle on a kickoff return

Titans (3-12)

• Gabe Jeudy-Lally, CB, BYU (via Tennessee): Inactive for Week 16

Los Angeles 19, New York 9

Rams (9-6)

• Puka Nacua, WR, BYU/Orem: Starting receiver caught a team-high eight passes for 56 yards

Jets (4-11)

• No locals on the active roster

Washington 36, Philadelphia 33

Commanders (9-5)

• Bobby Wagner, LB, Utah State: Starting linebacker posted a team-high nine tackles, a quarterback hit and a pass defended
• Michael Davis, CB, BYU: Inactive for Week 16

Eagles (12-2)

• Britain Covey, WR/RS, Utah/Timpview: Inactive for Week 16 (neck)

Carolina 36, Arizona 30 (OT)

Panthers (3-11)

• Brady Christensen, OL, BYU/Bountiful: Started at center
• Deven Thompkins, WR/RS, Utah State: Reserve receiver caught one pass for 9 yards, and returned two punts for 4 yards

Cardinals (7-7)

• Khyiris Tonga, DT, BYU/Granger: Reserve defensive lineman made three tackles

Minnesota 27, Seattle 24

Vikings (13-2)

• No locals on the active roster

Seahawks (8-7)

• Sataoa Laumea, OG, Utah: Started at right guard
• Jaren Hall, QB, BYU/Maple Mountain: Inactive for Week 16

Buffalo 24, New England 21

Bills (12-3)

• Taron Johnson, CB, Weber State: Starting cornerback had three tackles and scored on a fumble recovery in the end zone
• Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah: Starting H-back caught team-high four passes for 14 yards
• Cole Bishop, S, Utah: Starting safety made eight tackles with a tackle for loss

Patriots (3-12)

• Sione Takitaki, LB, BYU: Reserve linebacker posted two tackles and downed a punt on special teams

Las Vegas 19, Jacksonville 13

Raiders (3-12)

• Andre James, OC, Herriman (via UCLA): Started at center
• Jackson Powers-Johnson, OG, Corner Canyon (via Oregon): Started at left guard

Jaguars (3-12)

• Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah: Starting linebacker made seven tackles

Miami 29, San Francisco 17

Dolphins (7-8)

• Tyler Huntley, QB, Utah: Active, but did not play

49ers (6-9)

• Fred Warner, LB, BYU: Starting linebacker racked up a team-high 11 tackles

Saturday

Kansas City 27, Houston 19

Chiefs (14-1)

• Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU/Orem: Reserve tackle played five snaps on special teams

Texans (9-6)

• Dalton Schultz, TE, Bingham (via Stanford): Starting tight end caught five passes for 45 yards and a touchdown

Baltimore 34, Pittsburgh 17

Ravens (10-5)

• Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU: Reserve linebacker totaled five tackles, 1.5 sacks, three quarterback hits and a fumble recovery
• Marcus Williams, S, Utah: Inactive for Week 16

Steelers (10-5)

• Jaylen Warren, RB, Utah State/Snow/East (via Oklahoma State): Reserve running back rushed for a team-high 48 yards on 12 carries, caught team-high five catches for 44 yards, and returned a kickoff 34 yards and recovered a fumble
• Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah: Reserve safety played 18 snaps on special teams

Thursday

Los Angeles 34, Denver 27

Chargers (9-6)

• No locals on the active roster

Broncos (9-6)

• Zach Wilson, QB, BYU/Corner Canyon: Inactive for Week 16
• Cody Barton, LB, Utah/Brighton: Starting linebacker notched seven tackles and a tackle for loss
• Garett Bolles, OT, Utah/Snow/Westlake: Starting left tackle played all 64 snaps on offense
• Jonah Elliss, LB, Utah: Reserve linebacker had three tackles and a tackle for loss
• Devaughn Vele, WR, Utah: Reserve receiver caught two passes for 21 yards and a touchdown

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