Locals in the NFL: What Lions' win in Week 9 did for Penei Sewell, Jamaal Williams

AROUND THE SHIELD — The Lions snapped a five-game losing skid on Sunday by handing the Green Bay Packers their sixth loss of the season, but one local product picked up an even bigger win in the middle of the week.

Detroit offensive lineman Penei Sewell, who grew up in St. George, anchored an offensive line that helped Jared Goff complete 14-of-26 passes for two touchdowns and an interception just a few days after becoming a father for the first time.

Sewell has been a mainstay on Detroit's offensive line all season. The Desert Hills alum has started every game of the 2022 season through nine weeks, and he rarely takes a snap off; he played all 60 offensive snaps last week against Miami, as well as five on special teams.

But Sunday's game was extra meaningful for Sewell.

Sewell's partner, Isabella Ford, gave birth to the couple's first child, a son named Malakai, she posted Thursday on Instagram. The former first-round draft pick out of Oregon was present for the birth, missed two practices for personal reasons, and was right back on the field by Sunday.

"He gave me that extra motivation the moment he came out and I heard his cry," Sewell told ESPN after the win.

"Definitely didn't get the reps that I wanted, but shoot, to see that blessing come out that made it all worth it," he added. "I was like, 'I don't need the reps today, I'm feeding off of that high of seeing him.'"

Sewell was, once again, his steady self Sunday against the Packers, pacing a Lions offense that ran for 117 yards. That included former BYU star Jamaal Williams, who had a game-high 84 yards on 21 carries. That's all in addition to a defense that shut out the Packers in the first half and forced three turnovers.

Williams, who also scored on a 2-point conversion on Detroit's opening touchdown, ranks second in the NFL in rushing touchdowns with eight. Cleveland's Nick Chubb leads the league with 10.

Sunday wasn't without standout individual performances from other former Utah-based standouts in the league.

Former Utah State star Bobby Wagner blocked a field goal, but in a most unconventional way in the Rams' 16-13 loss to Tampa Bay.

Wagner timed the snap perfect, jumped over the offensive line, and stuffed Ryan Succop's 52-yard field attempt to help the Rams keep a 7-6 halftime edge.

But the Buccaneers held Los Angeles without a touchdown in the second half, and Tom Brady capped a 10-6 run with a 1-yard TD strike with 9 seconds remaining to take the win.

Here's a look at how other former high school and college football standouts from the Beehive State performed in Week 9 of the 2022 NFL regular season.

Monday Night Football

Baltimore Ravens vs. New Orleans Saints

Ravens (5-3)

• Tyler Huntley, QB, Utah

Saints (3-5)

• Taysom Hill, TE, BYU
• Daniel Sorensen, S, BYU
• Rashid Shaheed, WR/RET, Weber State
• Chase Hansen, LB, Utah/Lone Peak
• Kaden Elliss, LB, Judge Memorial

Sunday Night Football

Kansas City 20, Tennessee 17 (OT)

Chiefs (6-2)

• Former BYU offensive lineman Andy Reid won his 239th regular-season game as a head coach

Titans (5-3)

• No locals on the active roster

Sunday afternoon games

Tampa Bay 16, Los Angeles 13

Buccaneers (4-5)

• No locals on the active roster

Rams (3-5)

• Bobby Wagner, LB, Utah State: Starting linebacker tallied a team-high 13 tackles, one tackle for loss and a blocked field goal
• Matt Gay, K, Utah/UVU/Orem: Converted field goals of 26 and 35 yards, a PAT, and three kickoffs
• Terrell Burgess, S, Utah: Inactive for Week 9
• Jonah Williams, DT, Weber State: Reserve defensive tackle played mostly on special teams

Seattle 31, Arizona 21

Seahawks (6-3)

• Cody Barton, LB, Utah/Brighton: Reserve linebacker made three tackles on defense
• Bryan Mone, DT, Highland: Reserve defensive tackle also played on special teams

Cardinals (3-6)

• Leki Fotu, DT, Utah/Herriman: Started defensive tackle had one stop on defense

New York 20, Buffalo 17

Jets (6-3)

• Zach Wilson, QB, BYU/Corner Canyon: Starting quarterback improved to 5-1 as a starter by completing 18-of-25 passes for 154 yards and a touchdown, ran for 24 yards on five carries with two sacks taken and a lost fumble

Bills (6-2)

• Taron Johnson, CB, Weber State: Starting nickel had five tackles and a pass defended on defense

Minnesota 20, Washington 17

Vikings (7-1)

• Khyiris Tonga, DT, BYU/Granger: Reserve defensive tackle made one stop, one pass defended on defense

Commanders (4-5)

• Dax Milne, WR/RET, BYU/Bingham: Reserve wide receiver caught one pass for a 6-yard touchdown, returned five punts for 41 yards with one fair catch
• Tyler Larsen, OL, Utah State/Jordan: Started at center

Jacksonville 27, Las Vegas 20

Jaguars (3-6)

• Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah: Starting linebacker totaled a tackle, a quarterback hit, a pass defended and a fumble recovery on defense

Raiders (2-6)

• Andre James, C, Herriman: Started at center
• Jackson Barton, OT, Utah/Brighton: Inactive for Week 9

New England 26, Indianapolis 3

Patriots (5-4)

• No locals on the active roster

Colts (3-5-1)

• Julian Blackmon, FS, Utah/Layton: Reserve safety made three tackles with a sack and a quarterback hit on defense, one tackle on special teams
• Zack Moss, RB, Utah: Inactive for Week 9 after being traded at the deadline

Detroit 15, Green Bay 9

Lions (2-6)

• Jamaal Williams, RB, BYU: Starting running back
• Penei Sewell, OT, Desert Hills: Started at left tackle ran for game-high 81 yards on 24 carries, scored on a 2-point conversion

Packers (3-6)

• Dallin Leavitt, S, Utah State/BYU: Reserve safety played mostly on special teams
• Jordan Love, QB, Utah State: Active, but did not play

Cincinnati 42, Carolina 21

Bengals (5-4)

• Jalen Davis, CB, Utah State: Reserve cornerback had one tackle on defense, recovered a fumble on kickoff return
• Jay Tufele, DT, Bingham: Starting defensive tackle made two stops on defense

Panthers (2-7)

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

Miami 35, Chicago 32

Dolphins (6-3)

• Eric Rowe, DB, Utah: Starting safety made seven tackles on defense

Bears (3-6)

• Braxton Jones, OT, SUU/Murray: Started at left tackle
• Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah: Starting cornerback had four tackles, one pass breakup on defense
• Patrick Scales, LS, Utah State/Weber: Played seven snaps on special teams

LA Chargers 10, Atlanta 17

Chargers (5-3)

• Michael Davis, CB, BYU: Starting cornerback had seven tackles and a pass breakup on defense
• Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU: Started at edge rusher
• Alohi Gilman, S, Orem: Reserve safety made three tackles on defense

Falcons (4-5)

• Tyler Allgeier, RB, BYU: Reserve running back ran for game-high 99 yards on 10 carries on offense, made one tackle on special teams

Thursday Night Football

Philadelphia 29, Houston 17

Eagles (8-0)

• Sua Opeta, OG, Weber State/Stansbury: Inactive for Week 9
• Britain Covey, WR/RET, Utah/Timpview: Reserve receiver returned one punt for 8 yards, two kicks for 30 yards with a long return of 16 in eight snaps on special teams

Texans (1-6-1)

• No locals on the active roster

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