Locals in the NFL: Zach Wilson, Jets overcome injuries for best start since 2010

AROUND THE SHIELD — Zach Wilson wasn't perfect on Sunday; far from it.

But the former BYU signal caller's record as starting quarterback with his current team this season remains undefeated after the New York Jets' 16-9 road win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

The Jets won despite injuries to several key players, including running back Breece Hall, who left the game after a 62-yard run with a torn ACL. Wide receiver Corey Davis (knee), offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker (elbow), and defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers (undisclosed) also left the game with an injury, and receiver Elijah Moore did not play after requesting a trade earlier in the week.

Wilson completed an efficient 16-of-26 passes for 121 yards but was held without a touchdown for the second-straight week. He's been involved in almost as many receiving touchdowns as passing touchdowns since his return.

"We knew it was going to be a grind," Wilson told reporters after the win over Denver.

"We know it's going to be ugly, so for us as an offense, it's one drive at a time," he added. "If things don't go well, we regroup and see how we can adjust. Our defense is doing a great job putting us in good positions."

His head coach concurred.

"First off, this defense is ridiculous," Jets coach Robert Saleh said. "They've got a really good defense. Credit to them. Obviously, Zach wants some things that he could have back, but he did a great job. He didn't turn the ball over. He got the ball to where he needed to and we were still able to generate a couple of scoring drives in the second half."

The Jets are 4-0 when Wilson starts in the 2022 regular season. Defense and a strong run game have been major contributing factors, but so has Wilson's ability to protect the football.

The second-year quarterback who prepped at Corner Canyon hasn't thrown an interception in three games, and he has just two in the four games since his return from a preseason knee injury.

New York (5-2) is off to its best start since 2010 and have their first four-game winning streak since 2015, while already surpassing last year's win total of 4-13.

It's still early, but there's suddenly reason for confidence at 1 Jets Drive.

"I'd say the confidence is great," Wilson said. "Everyone is in a good headspace. We just won another game, which is huge, but, of course, there's so much more to do. We're up for the challenge."

Wilson wasn't the only former Cougar to lead a breakout performance in Week 7. His BYU tailback Tyler Allgeier is making the most of the Falcons' fifth-round selection for the Fontana, California, product.

Allgeier scored the first touchdown of his NFL career, lunging over a pile of linemen from a yard out to score Atlanta's first touchdown in a 35-17 loss to the Bengals.

You never forget your first score, but Allgeier joked after the game that the Falcons were "still looking for the ball" to give to him on the momentous occasion.

"It was a good feeling, but we still lost," said Allgeier, who finished with a team-high 50 yards on 16 carries. "I think that's the main feeling."

Despite the loss, the Falcons are 3-4 and tied for first in the NFC South with Tampa Bay, which was shut out of the end zone in a 21-3 loss to Carolina on Sunday.

"I still think we're in a really good spot," Allgeier said. "We've just got to go this week, learn from our mistakes, and prepare for a new week.

"Obviously, this is going to suck, but we've just got to be ready for a new week and to take on a division opponent, the Panthers."

Here's how other former college and high school football standouts from Utah performed in Week 7 of the 2022 NFL regular season.

Teams on bye

• Bills (5-1): RB Zack Moss, Utah; CB Taron Johnson, Weber State.
• Vikings (5-1): No locals on the active roster.
• Rams (3-3): LB Bobby Wagner, Utah State; K Matt Gay, Utah/UVU/Orem; DE Jonah Williams, Weber State.
• Eagles (6-0): OG Sua Opeta, Weber State/Stansbury; WR/PR Britain Covey, Utah/Timpview.

Sunday Night Football

Miami 16, Pittsburgh 10

Dolphins (4-3)

• Eric Rowe, DB, Utah: Reserve safety made two tackles on defense

Steelers (2-4)

• Jaylen Warren, RB, Utah State/Snow/East: Reserve running back ran twice for 7 yards, caught two passes for 2 yards on offense
• Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah: Reserve safety made one tackle on special teams

Sunday afternoon

Kansas City 44, San Francisco 23

Chiefs (5-2)

• No locals on the active roster

49ers (3-4)

• Fred Warner, LB, BYU: Starting linebacker totaled six tackles on defense
• Mitch Wishnowsky, P, Utah: Punted one time for 29 yards, one punt downed inside 20; added five snaps at holder, one on kickoff on special teams

Seattle 37, LA Chargers 23

Seahawks (4-3)

• Cody Barton, LB, Utah/Brighton: Reserve linebacker made four tackles on defense, one stop on special teams
• Bryan Mone, DT, Highland: Reserve defensive lineman played mostly on special teams

Chargers (4-3)

• Michael Davis, CB, BYU: Reserve cornerback made five tackles on defense
• Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU: Starting edge rusher had two tackles and a tackle for loss on defense
• Alohi Gilman, S, Orem: Reserve safety played mostly on special teams

Las Vegas 38, Houston 20

Raiders (2-4)

• Andre James, C, Herriman: Started at center on offensive line
• Javelin Guidry, DB, Utah: Played mostly on special teams

Texans (1-4-1)

• No locals on the active roster

NY Jets 16, Denver 9

Jets (5-2)

• Zach Wilson, QB, BYU/Corner Canyon: Completed 16-of-26 passes for 121 yards, ran for 24 yards on four carries, and was sacked three times

Broncos (2-5)

• No locals on the active roster

Washington 23, Green Bay 21

Commanders (3-4)

• Dax Milne, WR/PR, BYU/Bingham: Starting receiver caught one pass for 4 yards, returned two punts for 8 yards with one fair catch
• Tyler Larsen, C, Utah State/Jordan: Started at center

Packers (3-4)

• Jordan Love, QB, Utah State: Active, but did not play
• Tipa Galeai, LB, Utah State: Placed on injured reserve (hamstring) at the start of the week
• Dallin Leavitt, DB, Utah State/BYU: Reserve safety played mostly on special teams

Tennessee 19, Indianapolis 10

Titans (4-2)

• No locals on the active roster

Colts (3-3-1)

• Julian Blackmon, DB, Utah/Layton: Reserve safety made two tackles on defense, one on special teams

NY Giants 23, Jacksonville 7

Giants (6-1)

• No locals on the active roster

Jaguars (2-5)

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

Dallas 24, Detroit 6

Cowboys (5-2)

• Dalton Schultz, TE, Bingham: Starting tight end caught five passes for 49 yards, and left with an injury in the first quarter but returned to play
• Simi Fehoko, WR, Brighton: Placed on injured reserve (shoulder) to start the week

Lions (1-5)

• Jamaal Williams, RB, BYU: Starting running back ran for 79 yards on 15 carries, caught one pass for 4 yards and lost one fumble
• Penei Sewell, OT, Desert Hills: Started at right tackle, forced a fumble to recover loss and made a tackle

Cincinnati 35, Atlanta 17

Bengals (4-3)

• Jalen Davis, CB, Utah State: Reserve cornerback played mostly on special teams
• Jay Tufele, DT, Bingham: Reserve defensive tackle made six stops on defense

Falcons (3-4)

• Tyler Allgeier, RB, BYU: Starting running back led team with 50 yards on 16 carries, including his first touchdown of his career on a 1-yard dive

Carolina 21, Tampa Bay 3

Panthers (2-5)

• Brady Christensen, OL, BYU/Bountiful: Started at left guard

Buccaneers (3-4)

• No locals on the active roster

Baltimore 23, Cleveland 20

Ravens (4-3)

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

Browns (2-5)

• Sione Takitaki, LB, BYU: Reserve linebacker made seven stops, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hurry

Thursday Night Football

Arizona 42, New Orleans 32

Cardinals (3-4)

• Leki Fotu, DL, Utah/Herriman: Reserve defensive tackle made two stops on defense

Saints (2-5)

• Taysom Hill, TE, BYU: Starting tight end threw for 48 yards, ran for 9 yards and caught a 3-yard touchdown pass in 18 snaps on offense, eight on special teams
• Rashid Shaheed, WR/RET, Weber State: Scored on a 53-yard pass on his first catch of the game in 10 offensive snaps; returned two punts for 28 yards and one kickoff for 23 yards in 12 snaps on special teams
• Daniel Sorensen, S, BYU: Reserve safety played 24 snaps on special teams
• Chase Hansen, LB, Utah/Lone Peak: Reserve linebacker played 20 snaps on special teams
• Kaden Elliss, LB, Judge Memorial: Reserve linebacker played 23 snaps on special teams

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