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AROUND THE SHIELD — Chiefs safety Daniel Sorensen waved the ball over his head as he paraded into the end zone.
A few seconds earlier, Sorensen picked up a linebacker blitz, saw one of his teammates tip a pass from Teddy Bridgewater near the line of scrimmage, and grabbed the ball that "fell right in my lap" as he started running for paydirt.
The 75-yard sprint was the former BYU safety's longest scoring run of the season — mostly because he plays safety — and he was going to enjoy this one, as he put up 6 points against the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football.
So, too, was Kansas City's defense as it clinched its fourth consecutive victory with a 22-9 home win Sunday night at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
And as soon as he finished the scoring play — his first pick six of the season — Sorensen was right back to being the team guy that has launched his eight-year NFL career.
"I'm more focused on how we played as a defense, how we played as a team. That's more satisfying," Sorensen told reporters after the game. "We were able to get a couple of turnovers, a big turnover on special teams, a big fourth-and-two stop in the red zone.
"Those things are important. If you get a pick six and lose, that doesn't feel good. It's good when you can play team, complementary football, and I think we did that tonight."
The Chiefs have unlocked the defense again during crunch time, holding each of their last five opponents to 17 points or less, and haven't allowed more since late October.
On Sunday, it was more of the same, holding the Broncos to 4 of 14 on third downs and limiting leading receiver Tim Patrick — the former Utah standout — to one catch on five targets, including one that Sorensen plucked and walked off into the end zone for essentially the game-sealing touchdown.
"I've loved the attitude. Our defense has stepped up and really played good football," said Chiefs coach Andy Reid, the former BYU offensive lineman and graduate assistant. "They're attacking. It's a great tempo setter for everybody."
Here's what other former college and high school football standouts from Utah accomplished in Week 13 of the 2021 NFL regular season.
New England 14, Buffalo 10
Patriots (9-4)
- Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU: Made one tackle, one quarterback hurry in 45 defensive snaps.
Bills (7-5)
- Zack Moss, RB, Utah: Ran for 21 yards on eight carries in 24 offensive snaps.
- Star Lotulelei, DL, Utah/Bingham/Snow: Starting defensive tackle played 27 defensive snaps, three on special teams.
- Taron Johnson, CB, Weber State: Made one tackle in 22 defensive snaps, one on special teams.
Kansas City 22, Denver 9
Chiefs (8-4)
- Daniel Sorensen, S, BYU: Made two tackles and a 75-yard interception return for a touchdown in 39 defensive snaps, seven on special teams.
- Marcus Kemp, WR, Layton: Made one tackle in 17 special-teams snaps, four on offense.
Broncos (6-6)
- Tim Patrick, WR, Utah: Starting wide receiver caught one pass for 9 yards in 67 offensive snaps.
- Garett Bolles, OL, Utah/Westlake/Snow: Starting left tackle played all 77 offensive snaps, one on special teams.
Dallas 27, New Orleans 17
Cowboys (8-4)
- Dalton Schultz, TE, Bingham: Starting tight end caught five passes for 43 yards in 67 offensive snaps, six on special teams.
- Simi Fehoko, WR, Brighton: Played three snaps on offense, 13 on special teams.
- Francis Bernard, LB, Utah/Herriman: Made one tackle in 22 snaps on special teams
Saints (5-7)
- Taysom Hill, QB, BYU: Completed 19-of-41 passes for 264 yards, two touchdowns, four interceptions and ran for 101 yards in season's first start at quarterback.
- Marcus Williams, FS, Utah: Made three tackles, one pass breakup in 70 defensive snaps.
- Kaden Elliss, LB, Judge Memorial: Inactive for Week 13.
Arizona 33, Chicago 22
Cardinals (10-2)
- Leki Fotu, DL, Utah/Herriman: Played 18 snaps on defense, eight on special teams.
Bears (4-8)
- Khyiris Tonga, NT, BYU/Granger: Totaled three tackles in 17 defensive snaps, eight on special teams.
- Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah: Starting cornerback made two tackles in 49 defensive snaps.
- Patrick Scales, LS, Utah State/Weber: Played five snaps on special teams.
LA Chargers 41, Cincinnati 22
Chargers (7-5)
- Michael Davis, CB, BYU: Starting cornerback had two tackles, three pass breakups and an interception in 72 defensive snaps, two on special teams.
- Kyler Fackrell, LB, Utah State: Had one tackle in 51 defensive snaps, four on special teams.
- Alohi Gilman, S, Orem: Inactive for Week 13.
Bengals (7-5)
- Jalen Davis, DB, Utah State: Played two snaps on defense, seven on special teams.
Detroit 29, Minnesota 27
Lions (1-10-1)
- Jamaal Williams, RB, BYU: Starting running back ran for 71 yards on 17 carries, caught one pass for 9 yards in 34 offensive snaps.
- John Penisini, DL, Utah/West Jordan/Snow: Inactive for Week 13.
- Penei Sewell, OT, Desert Hills: Started and played all 72 offensive snaps at right tackle.
Vikings (5-7)
- Nick Vigil, LB, Utah State/Fremont: Starting linebacker posted team-high 15 tackles and a quarterback hurry in 72 snap on defense, five on special teams.
Miami 20, NY Giants 9
Dolphins (6-7)
- Eric Rowe, DB, Utah: Starting safety had team-high seven tackles in 65 defensive snaps.
Giants (4-8)
- Devontae Booker, RB, Utah: Ran for 36 yards on six carries in 23 offensive snaps.
Philadelphia 33, NY Jets 18
Eagles (6-7)
- Sua Opeta, OL, Weber State/Stansbury: Reserve guard played two snaps on offense, seven on special teams.
Jets (3-9)
- Zach Wilson, QB, BYU/Corner Canyon: Starting quarterback completed 23-of-38 passes for 226 yards with two touchdowns, one interception and ran for a score in 59 offensive snaps.
- Javelin Guidry, DB, Utah: Starting cornerback made four tackles on defense, one on special teams in 71 defensive snaps, 12 on special teams.
LA Rams 37, Jacksonville 7
Rams (8-4)
- Terrell Burgess, S, Utah: Played five defensive snaps, 13 on special teams.
- Matt Gay, K, Utah/UVU/Orem: Kicked field goals of 40, 44 and 37 yards with four PATs and eight kickoffs in 15 special-teams snaps.
Jaguars (2-10)
- Nevin Lawson, CB, Utah State: Starting cornerback posted seven tackles while playing all 68 defensive snaps, three on special teams.
- Jay Tufele, DT, Bingham: Made one tackle in 29 defensive snaps, six on special teams.
Washington 17, Las Vegas 15
Football Team (6-6)
- Dax Milne, WR, BYU/Bingham: Inactive for Week 13.
- Tyler Larsen, OL, Utah State/Jordan: Active, but did not play.
Raiders (6-6)
- Dallin Leavitt, S, Utah State: Played eight snaps on defense, 20 on special teams.
- Jackson Barton, OT, Utah/Brighton: Played three snaps at offensive tackle.
- Andre James, OL, Herriman: Starting center played all 59 offensive snaps.
Pittsburgh 20, Baltimore 19
Steelers (6-5-1)
- Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah: Made one tackle in 18 special-teams snaps, two on defense.
Ravens (8-4)
- Ty'Son Williams, RB, BYU: Inactive for Week 13.
- Tyler Huntley, QB, Utah: Active, but did not play.
Seattle 30, San Francisco 23
Seahawks (4-8)
- Bobby Wagner, LB, Utah State: Starting middle linebacker had nine tackles and an interception in all 58 defensive snaps, four on special teams.
- Bryan Mone, DT, Highland: Posted two tackles in 28 defensive snaps, four on special teams.
- Cody Barton, LB, Utah/Brighton: Played 20 snaps on special teams.
49ers (6-6)
- Fred Warner, LB, BYU: Inactive for Week 13.
- Mitch Wishnowsky, P, Utah: Averaged 45.7 yards on three punts for 137 yards in 11 snaps on special teams.
