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Ja'Quan McMillian's Overtime Pick Has the Broncos Believing in Life Without Pat Surtain II
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- Ja'Quan McMillian's Overtime Pick Has the Broncos Believing in Life Without Pat Surtain II
The Denver Broncos played Thursday night without Pat Surtain II, their best cornerback, and without safety Talanoa Hufanga. Ja'Quan McMillian made sure it didn't matter, picking off Sam Darnold in overtime to set up Wil Lutz's 53-yard field goal in a 17-14 overtime win over the Seattle Seahawks.
The game swung on two late interceptions from a secondary that came into the week with questions about its depth . Kris Abrams-Draine had the first with 1:31 left in regulation, and McMillian had the second on third-and-7 from the Seattle 28.
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The secondary held up in Surtain's absence
Surtain missed the game with an ankle injury after we wondered all week whether he would play . His replacements gave up yards. Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught 12 passes for 134 yards, and Darnold threw for 278. They also came up with the plays that decided it.
Abrams-Draine broke up three passes and intercepted a third-and-1 throw at the Denver 31 with the Broncos up 14-11. McMillian had five solo tackles, a sack and two pass breakups before his overtime pick. Jahdae Barron, who had been locked in as an every-down corner , added seven tackles, and Brandon Jones nearly had a third interception in the fourth quarter before replay overturned it.
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The pass rush made their job easier. Denver sacked Darnold five times and hit him 17 times, according to the AP , and he was pressured on 24 dropbacks, according to Pro Football Talk. Nik Bonitto forced Rashid Shaheed's second-quarter fumble, and Que Robinson, Jonah Elliss and McMillian each had a sack.
What it means once Surtain returns
The Broncos entered the week 11th in EPA per play allowed, according to Sumer Sports , and Thursday's performance should help that number. More important, Denver now knows its depth can win a game. Getting Surtain back, after an injury update that offered hope earlier this month, would put an All-Pro corner on top of a group that just proved it can hold up without him.
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The Broncos are 4-2 and face Arizona on Oct. 25. With an offense that managed 168 yards Thursday, they're going to need the defense to keep making nights like this one feel normal.
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This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
