Locals in the NFL: Tyler Huntley keeps Dolphins in playoff chase with win over former team

AROUND THE SHIELD — Life has a way of coming full circle for Tyler Huntley.

On the latest spin, the former Utah quarterback stepped up in a big way for the Miami Dolphins.

With regular starter Tua Tagovailoa sidelined with a hip injury, Huntley stepped into the starting lineup and threw for 225 yards and a touchdown, ran for 52 yards on another score, and led the Dolphins to a 20-3 wire-to-wire win over the same Cleveland franchise that cut him earlier in the year Sunday.

Snoop, there he is — in Miami and in the thick of the playoff chase.

"It was a tremendous outing for (Huntley)," Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said, per the Associated Press. "It showed how far Snoop has come."

The Dolphins (8-8) can clinch a playoff spot with a Week 18 win over the New York Jets and Denver loss to Kansas City when star quarterback Patrick Mahomes and several other starters of the top-seeded Chiefs are expected to sit out.

Taovailoa's status for the regular-season finale remains unclear. Without him, the Dolphins could use another outing like Huntley had against the team that cut the 26-year-old Florida native earlier this year.

"When I left, that was it," said Huntley, who signed with Miami in September and completed 22-of-26 passes without a turnover in his fourth start this year.

His teammates didn't downplay it quite as much.

"For him to get cut, it was our blessing picking him up," Dolphins defensive tackle Calais Campbell said.

Here's a look at how other former Utah high school and college football standouts performed in Week 17 of the 2024 NFL regular season.

Sunday Night Football

Washington 30, Atlanta 24

Commanders (11-5)

• Bobby Wagner, LB, Utah State: Starting linebacker notched six tackles and a pass defended
• Michael Davis, CB, BYU: Starting cornerback made six tackles

Falcons (8-8)

• Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah: Reserve cornerback also played on special teams
• Kaden Elliss, LB, Judge Memorial (via Idaho): Starting linebacker had nine tackles and an interception
• Tyler Allgeier, RB, BYU: Reserve tailback ran for 19 yards on three carries

Sunday afternoon

Buffalo 40, New York 14

Bills (13-3)

• Cole Bishop, S, Utah: Starting safety made five tackles
• Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah: Reserve tight end caught two passes for 24 yards
• Taron Johnson, CB, Weber State: Starting nickel made four tackles

Jets (4-12)

• No locals on the active roster

Jacksonville 20, Tennessee 13

Jaguars (4-12)

• Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah: Starting linebacker tallied six tackles and an interception

Titans (3-13)

• No locals on the active roster

Las Vegas 25, New Orleans 10

Raiders (4-12)

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

Saints (5-11)

• Dallin Holker, TE, BYU/Lehi (via Colorado State): Reserve tight end also played on special teams
• Jamaal Williams, RB, BYU: Reserve tailback had 12 yards on two carries, and caught one pass for 12 yards

New York 45, Indianapolis 33

Giants (3-13)

• No locals on the active roster

Colts (7-9)

• Blake Freeland, OT, BYU/Herriman: Reserve tackle also played on special teams
• Julian Blackmon, S, Utah/Layton: Starting free safety made four tackles
• Matt Gay, K, Utah/UVU/Orem: Kicked field goals of 32 and 29 yards with two extra points

Miami 20, Cleveland 3

Dolphins (8-8)

• Tyler Huntley, QB, Utah: Starting quarterback completed 22-of-26 passes for 225 yards and a touchdown, and ran for 52 yards and a score on seven carries

Browns (3-13)

• Mohamoud Diabate, LB, Utah: Starting linebacker totaled six tackles
• Winston Reid, LB, Weber State/Copper Hills: Reserve linebacker also played on special teams

Philadelphia 41, Dallas 7

Eagles (13-3)

• No locals on the active roster

Cowboys (7-9)

• Nick Vigil, LB, Utah State/Fremont: Reserve linebacker had one tackle on special teams

Tampa Bay 48, Carolina 14

Buccaneers (9-7)

• No locals on the active roster

Panthers (4-12)

• Brady Christensen, OL, BYU/Bountiful: Reserve lineman also played on special teams
• Deven Thompkins, WR, Utah State: Inactive for Week 17

Minnesota 27, Green Bay 25

Vikings (14-2)

• No locals on the active roster

Packers (11-5)

• Jordan Love, QB, Utah State: Starting quarterback completed 19-of-30 passes for 185 yards and a touchdown, and ran for 6 yards on one carry with three sacks taken
• Zayne Anderson, S, BYU/Stansbury: Starting safety made one tackle on special teams before leaving with an injury (concussion)
• Chris Brooks, RB, BYU: Reserve running back also played on special teams

Saturday games

Los Angeles 40, New England 7

Chargers (10-6)

• No locals on the active roster

Patriots (3-13)

• Sione Takitaki, LB, BYU: Starting linebacker made eight tackles in 31 snaps on defense

Cincinnati 30, Denver 24

Bengals (8-8)

• Ryan Rehkow, P, BYU: Punted once for 47 yards in six snaps on special teams
• Tanner McLachlan, TE, Southern Utah (via Arizona): Reserve tight end also played 11 snaps on special teams
• Jay Tufele, DT, Bingham (via USC): Reserve defensive tackle played seven snaps on defense

Broncos (9-7)

• Zach Wilson, QB, BYU/Corner Canyon: Inactive for Week 17
• Cody Barton, LB, Utah/Brighton: Starting linebacker had six tackles and a pass defended in 85 defensive snaps
• Garett Bolles, OT, Utah/Snow/Westlake: Starting left tackle played all 60 offensive snaps
• Jonah Elliss, LB, Utah: Reserve linebacker had one tackle in 24 defensive snaps
• Devaughn Vele, WR, Utah: Reserve receiver caught two passes for 27 yards in 30 offensive snaps

Los Angeles 13, Arizona 9

Rams (10-6)

• Puka Nacua, WR, BYU/Orem: Starting wide receiver caught 10 passes for 129 yards in 54 offensive snaps

Cardinals (7-8)

• Khyiris Tonga, DT, BYU/Granger: Reserve nose tackle made two stops in 13 defensive snaps

Thursday Night Football

Seattle 6, Chicago 3

Seahawks (9-7)

• Sataoa Laumea, OG, Utah: Starting right guard played all 52 offensive snaps
• Jaren Hall, QB, BYU/Maple Mountain: Inactive for Week 17

Bears (4-12)

• Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah: Starting defensive back made five tackles in 52 defensive snaps
• Braxton Jones, OT, Southern Utah/Murray: Placed on IR (ankle)
• Noah Sewell, LB, Orem (via Oregon): Inactive for Week 17

Christmas Day games

Kansas City 19, Pittsburgh 10

Chiefs (15-1)

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

Steelers (10-6)

• Jaylen Warren, RB, Utah State/Snow/East (via Oklahoma State): Reserve tailback ran for 71 yards on 11 carries, caught five passes for 41 yards in 40 snaps on offense
• Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah: Reserve safety made one tackle in 18 snaps on special teams

Baltimore 31, Houston 2

Ravens (11-5)

• Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU: Starting linebacker had four tackles, a sack and a quarterback hurry in 29 defensive snaps
• Marcus Williams, S, Utah: Inactive for Week 17

Texans (9-7)

• Dalton Schultz, TE, Bingham (via Stanford): Starting tight end caught two passes for 21 yards in 40 offensive snaps

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