Ja’Quan McMillian plays hero against KC, ‘just being J-Mac’

DENVER — Patrick Mahomes is well on his way to Canton, but if he misses the playoffs for the first time in his career this season, he’ll remember one name: Ja’Quan McMillian.

The undrafted fourth-year defensive back from East Carolina wreaked havoc on the Kansas City Chiefs during the Denver Broncos’ 22-19 walk-off win at Mile High on Sunday. He tallied two sacks of Mahomes and picked off the three-time Super Bowl MVP as well.

“Two sacks, interception, all of it. Game ball,” Sean Payton said. “Outstanding, it was a good win.”

Mahomes spent much of the day picking on Riley Moss, getting two defensive pass interference calls drawn on the corner. But McMillian was on the bad end of a play, too. KC’s biggest gain, a Tyquan Thornton 61-yard snag, led to a game-tying touchdown late in the third quarter and it came right over McMillian’s head.

“I tried to make another play on the ball, but that wasn’t the time for that,” McMillian said after the game. “That is definitely one of the plays I want back. You definitely remember those plays a lot more than the plays that you make. I guess I made up for it at the end.”

Make up for it he did. Mirroring the final play of the first half, McMillian sacked Mahomes on what ended up being the Chiefs’ last offensive snap at 3:53 to go tied at 19. The next play was a punt and Bo Nix marched the Broncos down the field for a game-winning field goal on the ensuing drive.

Jaquan McMillian 2 SCK, 1 INT vs KC Today. pic.twitter.com/94h9DWGuJj https://t.co/dRGrM5zhLA

— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) November 17, 2025

“I think I told you guys earlier during camp, ‘J-Mac’ is going to be ‘J-Mac’, no matter who they bring in,” the corner said. “I love [CB] Jahdae [Barron], he’s been a great add to the team, and he’s going to be a good player, but I just do me. Keep working hard, go out there and do what I’m told to do. I never worry about the outside noise. I go out there and compete the best I can.”

Barron, a first-round pick in the spring following being named the best defensive back in college football alt fall, was the man many expected to step up with Pat Surtain II sidelined. No doubt, everyone knew Moss would face more pressure, but the man in the middle of the fire was McMillian.

“The kid is an absolute stud, right? Gave up that long one and unfazed, and that’s a good defensive back,” Moss said. “That’s how you become a good DB, 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.”

Even the offensive line recognized how McMillian’s hard work behind the scenes helped flip one of the biggest Broncos games in a decade.

“I love ‘J-Mac’, I love ‘J-Mac.’ He’s, you know, maybe an undersized player, but he’s got that dog in him,” offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz said. That’s the type of player that we need on this team and this defense, and he’s been playing incredibly, 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 Broncos now take their winning streak to the bye week, where they hope Surtain makes a quick and full recovery — if not, Vance Joseph is clearly comfortable with using McMillian as a weapon, something teams will have to watch no matter the status of the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

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