The Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs played each other in Week 11. It looked like the Chiefs were going to run away with the game after going up 19-16 with nine minutes and 57 seconds left in the game. The Broncos went three and out on the next drive. And like the first time listening to Common’s “I Used to Love H.E.R.,” Broncos fans were thinking I’ve seen this movie before. Then the unthinkable happened. More on this below.
Ja’Quan McMillian to Albert Breer
The Chiefs went three and out as well, leading to a game-tying field goal by kicker Will Lutz. With four minutes and five seconds left, the Chiefs had the ball on their 26-yard line. Enter nickel cornerback McMillian. On third and 10, McMillian sacked Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes for a loss of 11 yards, and the rest is history. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer caught up with McMillian after the game.
He said, “(Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph had) been saying I was gonna come free, we were going to come free on that play, with the nickel, which is me. I was just reading Mahomes. The whole game, I’d watch his hands go up, and that’s when the ball was snapped. I just timed it up well, and they didn’t slide the protection my way, and I just made a play.”
That’s a good eye by McMillian catching that Mahomes’ hands going up signaled the snap of the ball. It was how the former made the play of the game. The play led to a 10-play, 58-yard drive that took two minutes and 59 seconds — and secured the win for the Broncos on a game-winning 35-yard field goal by Lutz. McMillian continued to Breer.
“We just bought in and we believed (Joseph). He’s instilled confidence. He’s just doing a great job with the team. Everyone bought in, everybody’s put their hand in. We’re playing for each other.”
Elsewhere, the Broncos have a bye in Week 12, then play the Washington Commanders in Week 13. Cornerback Pat Surtain II, No. 4 in PFSN’s CB Impact Score, should be back by then. The Broncos’ defense is No. 1 in PFSN’s Defense Impact Score as well.