On the afternoon Denver finally put its historic losing streak to Kansas City to bed, the team got a major lift from an undersized under-the-radar defender.
That’s nickel Ja’Quan McMillian, who picked off Patrick Mahomes and logged a pair of tackles for loss in the Broncos’ 24-9 win Sunday.
“He’s starting to play confident,” safety Justin Simmons said. “Any time you can go out there and play confident, you play faster and things slow down for you. He’s getting into a rhythm and a flow in his preparation and his film study throughout the week. He’s been asking questions and I just think he does such a good job of feeling what the offense is trying to give him and how they’re trying to set it up.”
McMillian went undrafted in 2022 out of East Carolina but hung around Denver’s practice squad most of the year and then made a Week 18 start against the Los Angeles Chargers.
He started this year as a special teamer and reserve defensive back, but took over the starting nickel spot after the team released Essang Bassey following a Week 4 win over Chicago.
McMillian has played well since and only grown in confidence over the month of October.
Not only that, but he’s saved his best work for Kansas City.
In two games against the Chiefs this year, the feisty 5-foot-10, 183-pounder has logged 12 solo tackles, five tackles for loss and his first career interception.
That came on a diving play up the seam in the second quarter as Mahomes tried to find tight end Travis Kelce.
Then he made back-to-back plays on Mahomes later in the second quarter. He stopped the two-time MVP in his tracks for a five-yard gain on second-and-7 along the visiting sideline. On third-and-2, he stopped Jerick McKinnon for a three-yard loss to force a field goal.
“It’s not easy against that team,” Simmons said. “… J-Mac did a good job playing what he was seeing and playing confident and playing fast with that.”
An inopportune bye week?: The Broncos are pretty darn healthy. They’ve won two straight home games and finally knocked off the Chiefs. If ever there was a time to keep a good feeling rolling, this would be it, right?
Actually, the Broncos will gladly take the upcoming off week, even with the good vibes.
“Hey, I ain’t never going to question a bye week, now,” said outside linebacker Baron Browning after notching two sacks and a forced fumble. “Any time we get to get some down time, get a mental break real quick in the middle of the season, it’s a blessing.”
They’ll get even a little extra off time, considering Denver’s Week 10 game isn’t until Monday night at Buffalo. That game is on Nov. 13 and starts more than 15 days after this one ended.
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