Locals in the NFL: BYU alum Jamaal Williams keeps Packers vibing to 8-3 with win over Bears

AROUND THE SHIELD — No matter the situation, former BYU running back Jamaal Williams has been as prone to dancing as he has to gaining first downs and touchdowns with the Green Bay Packers.

There's a lot more reason to dance with a win, though.

The BYU all-time leading rusher ran for 73 yards and a touchdown, tying for the team-high with 17 carries, in the Packers' 41-25 win over the Bears on Sunday Night Football.

Williams' 17 carries tied fellow running back Aaron Jones, who ran for 90 yards in a game where Aaron Rodgers threw for 211 yards and four scores to lead the Packers (8-3) to the win.

Even with those numbers, Rodgers called the run game "the key" to Green Bay's offense.

"We haven't had the run game anywhere near as efficient in the last 4-5 weeks," Rodgers told reporters after the game. "To have both those guys combine for over 160 yards, it's a credit to them, it's a credit to the offensive line."

The aforementioned ex-BYU tailback nicknamed "J Swag Daddy" didn't just dance around defenders during the game; he started pregame warmups dancing, too — and never stopped.

Ever one for a pregame vibe, Williams used the video board to get his groove on during pregame warmups. The former BYU running back danced, jived and shook his tail feather while getting ready for Sunday night's rivalry game.

The party continued through the night.

Holding tight to a 34-10 lead in the third quarter, Rodgers went to Williams to try to run out the clock. First, he got a first down.

Moments later, with Green Bay on the 13-yard line, the tailback burst up the middle and bounced off a half-dozen Bears would-be tacklers to spin into the end zone for a touchdown that gave Green Bay a 41-10 lead with 1:12 left in the third.

"Jamaal had a big night. Aaron did his thing, too. It was just a complete win," said Packers receiver Davante Adams, who caught six passes for 61 yards and a touchdown.

"Sometimes it's going to be the receiver's day, sometimes we're going to do it on the ground. If it ain't broke, don't fix it … We've done a good job of recognizing what we're doing well, and sticking to it."

With 182 yards rushing to 211 yards through the air, the Packers were about as balanced as an NFL team can get. Not perfect — but pretty close.

"I think the more that we can run the football, we'll have success," Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said. "When you have both (the run and the pass), that's what makes you really dangerous. It just keeps the defense more off balance. I thought our guys did an outstanding job.

"The expectations are extremely high here, and I wouldn't want it any other way. Until we get that perfect game, we're going to continue to coach our butt off and our players are going to get better and better."

Williams wasn't the only former local standout to make a big play on the big stage. Former Utah defensive back Jaylon Johnson had four tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup for the Bears — including blowing up Packers receiver Allen Lazard on one play.

Utah State and Weber High alum Patrick Scales played five special-teams snaps at long snapper for the Bears (5-6).

Here's how other former high school and college football standouts from Utah fared around the league in Week 12.

Buffalo 27, LA Chargers 17

Josh Allen threw for 157 yards and a touchdown and ran for 32 yards and another score to lead the Bills by the Chargers.

Bills (8-3)

Zack Moss, RB, Utah: Ran for 59 yards on nine carries; caught two passes for 9 yards

Taron Johnson, S, Weber State: Starting nickleback made six tackles, two quarterback hurries, and two pass breakups

Chargers (3-8)

Michael Davis, CB, BYU: Posted four tackles, one pass breakup, one interception

Sam Tevi, OT, Utah: Started at left tackle

Nick Vigil, LB, Utah State/Fremont: Had eight tackles, one pass breakup, and recovered a fumble

Alohi Gilman, S, Orem: Played as a reserve

Atlanta 43, Raiders 6

Matt Ryan threw for 185 yards and two touchdowns, and the Falcons forced five turnovers to roll past the Raiders.

Falcons (4-7)

No locals on the active roster

Raiders (6-5)

Devontae Booker, RB, Utah: Ran five times for 6 yards as a reserve; targeted four times

Nevin Lawson, CB, Utah State: Made three tackles as a reserve

Dallin Leavitt, S, Utah State/BYU: Made one tackle on special teams as a reserve

Andre James, OT, Herriman: Played as a reserve

New Orleans 31, Denver 3

Latavius Murray ran for 124 yards and two touchdowns, and former BYU quarterback Taysom Hill ran for two more scores to lead the Saints' to their eighth-straight win.

Saints (9-2)

Taysom Hill, QB, BYU: Starting quarterback completed 9-of-16 passes for 78 yards, one interception; also ran for 44 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries

Marcus Williams, S, Utah: Starting free safety, made three tackles

Kaden Elliss, LB, Judge Memorial: Played as a reserve

Broncos (4-7)

Garett Bolles, OT, Utah/Westlake: Started at left tackle after signing a four-year contract extension

Tim Patrick, WR, Utah: Starting wide receiver was targeted twice by elevated practice squad wide receiver Kendall Hinton

NY Giants 19, Cincinnati 17

Graham Gano booted four field goals in a winning effort for the Giants.

Giants (4-7)

Kyler Fackrell, LB, Utah State: Starting outside linebacker posted two tackles, one quarterback hurry

Jackson Barton, OT, Utah/Brighton: Inactive for week 12

Bengals (2-8-1)

Leshaun Sims, CB, SUU: Starting cornerback made four tackles

Tennessee 45, Indianapolis 26

Derrick Henry ran for 178 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries as the Titans overpowered the Colts.

Titans (8-3)

No locals on the active roster

Colts (7-4)

Julian Blackmon, DB, Utah/Layton: Starting free safety made two tackles

Noah Togiai, TE, Hunter: Inactive for week 12

Cleveland 27, Jacksonville 25

Baker Mayfield threw for 258 yards and two touchdowns in the Browns' third-straight win.

Browns (8-3)

Sione Takitaki, LB, BYU: Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list

Porter Gustin, DE, Salem Hills: Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list

Jaguars (1-10)

No locals on the active roster

Minnesota 29, Carolina 27

Kirk Cousins threw for 307 yards and three touchdowns, including two scores to Justin Jefferson, to help the Vikings hold off the Panthers.

Vikings (5-6)

No locals on the active roster

Panthers (4-8)

Tyler Larsen, OC, Utah State: Played as a reserve

New England 20, Arizona 17

Nick Folk's 50-yard field goal at the buzzer helped the Patriots edge the Cardinals in a game where quarterbacks Cam Newton and Kyler Murray combined for three interceptions and no touchdowns.

Patriots (5-6)

No locals on the active roster

Cardinals (6-5)

Kylie Fitts, LB, Utah: Made one tackle as a reserve

Leki Fotu, DT, Utah/Herriman: Inactive for week 12

Miami 20, NY Jets 3

Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns, and the Dolphins picked off Sam Darnold twice for a win over the hapless Jets.

Dolphins (7-4)

Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU: Starting linebacker made five tackles, 0.5 sacks and one quarterback hurry

Eric Rowe, DB, Utah: Starting safety made three tackles

Jets (0-11)

Harvey Langi, LB, BYU/Bingham: Starting inside linebacker, posted a team-high eight tackles

Javelin Guidry, DB, Utah: Made two tackles, recovered a fumble as a reserve

San Francisco 23, LA Rams 20

Robbie Gould booted back-to-back field goals in the final 3:11 to help the Niners rally by the Rams.

49ers (5-6)

Fred Warner, LB, BYU: Starting middle linebacker posted six tackles, one quarterback hurry

Mitch Wishnowsky, P, Utah: Punted seven times for 357 yards, an average of 51.0 yards per kick, with two touchbacks and two punts downed inside the 20

Rams (7-4)

Matt Gay, K, Utah/UVU/Orem: Kicked field goals of 48 and 41 yards, with 2 extra points

Kansas City 27, Tampa Bay 24

Patrick Mahomes threw for 462 yards and three touchdowns as the Chiefs held off Tom Brady and the Buccaneers' late comeback bid.

Chiefs (10-1)

Daniel Sorensen, S, BYU: Posted a team-best seven tackles

Darwin Thompson, RB, Utah State: Played as a reserve

Buccaneers (7-5)

No locals on the active roster

Thursday

Washington 41, Dallas 16

Antonio Gibson ran for 115 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Football Team past the Cowboys.

Football Team (4-7)

Alex Smith, QB, Utah: Completed 19-of-26 passes for 149 yards, one touchdown, one interception

Jared Norris, LB, Utah: Inactive for Week 12

Cowboys (3-8)

Dalton Schultz, TE, Bingham: Caught five passes for 24 yards

Bradlee Anae, DE, Utah: Inactive for Week 12

Francis Bernard, LB, Utah/Herriman: Played 18 snaps on special teams as a reserve

Houston 41, Detroit 25

DeShaun Watson threw for 318 yards and four touchdowns as the Texans spoiled the Lions' Thanksgiving with a rout.

Texans (4-7)

No locals on the active roster

Lions (4-7)

Miles Killebrew, S, SUU: Played 26 snaps on special teams as a reserve

John Penisini, DT, Utah/West Jordan: Made one tackle on 44 defensive snaps

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