In Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian had a historic performance.
McMillian became the first cornerback in Broncos history with two sacks and an interception in the same game. All three plays came at crucial moments in the game. The first sack came on the last play of the first half, as the Chiefs looked to throw up a Hail Mary. McMillian’s interception came inside the red zone, and led to the Broncos’ only touchdown of the day. McMillian’s third sack, however, came at the most critical part of the game; on a third down and 10 on the final Kansas City offensive drive of the game. Patrick Mahomes never got the ball back as Bo Nix ran out the clock, and Wil Lutz kicked the game-winning field goal.
McMillian commented specifically on his final sack. “We knew we needed to make a play,” said McMillian. “I knew it was going to be one of us and ‘V.J.’ (Vance Joseph) just so happened to call the right play for me. I kind of timed it up well off (Patrick) Mahomes’ hands, and I went in and made a play on him.”
McMillian’s teammates also spoke about McMillian’s big day. “I love ‘J-Mac’, I love ‘J-Mac,'” said guard Quinn Meinerz. “He’s, you know, maybe an undersized player, but he’s got that dog in him. That’s the type of player that we need on this team and this defense. He’s been playing incredible, and he’s continued to make plays for us year after year. I can’t say enough good things about him, he shows up, works hard and it shows up on the field.”
“The kid is an absolute stud, right,” said cornerback Riley Moss. “Gave up that long one and unfazed. That’s a good defensive back. That’s how you become a good DB, is you forget about the negatives and you go out there and you continue to ball. The kid balled out, and we’ve been seeing it. He’s like that. Finally the ball found him, and he made his plays.”
2024 Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain tweeted his support for McMillian.
Head coach Sean Payton also gave his brief, full-throated endorsement of McMillian. “Two sacks, interception, all of it,” said Payton after the game. “Game ball. Outstanding, it was a good win.”
McMillian has become a fixture in the Broncos’ defense, and hopefully will be for the future to come.
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Ja’Quan McMillian makes history in win vs. Chiefs
