The Broncos defense puts on a big performance in the final moments to secure a “Monday Night Football” victory over the Cleveland Browns

DENVER – In a game full of big plays, the Broncos defense came up with three of the biggest attacks.

Denver recorded three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns, in a back-and-forth “Monday Night Football” victory over the Cleveland Browns.

And while head coach Sean Payton noted that the performance was “by no means perfect,” the execution in the game’s most critical moments was enough to get the job done and move Denver to 8-5 as the team now heads into Week 14 goes bye.

“When we look back at the tape, we’re obviously going to look at a lot of things defensively that we would have done differently,” Payton said after Monday’s win. “We have to. We had two interceptions for touchdowns and a third interception. I told them in the locker room it wasn’t nice, and yet in the end we did what we had to do, especially late.”

With the Broncos leading by just two points in the fourth quarter and the ball in the hands of quarterback Jameis Winston, it was cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian who took advantage of the opportunity and made a crucial play.

Cleveland’s offense consisted of moving the ball downfield after Winston overcame an 8-yard sack by Jonathon Cooper. After connecting with wide receiver Elijah Moore for a 14-yard gain on third-and-12, Winston looked at the receiver again – but the throw never made it. McMillian jumped up to make an impressive catch, and after falling on his back, he got back to his feet and returned the ball 44 yards, which was Denver’s second pick of the night.

Quarterback Bo Nix, who said the team was “just trying to finish the game any way they could,” said the play came at the perfect time – and was a testament to the work McMillian has put in all year I have prepared such opportunities.

“He made plays like that all year long,” Nix said. “Just (one) impressive play after another. He’s a really good player. Really good in the slot, covers tough matchups and he makes plays like that.”

McMillian, who recorded his second interception of the season, said he sensed a big moment was coming toward him toward the end of the game, and when it came, he was ready to seize the opportunity.

““I kept telling the guys, ‘I’m going to do it,'” McMillian said. “I just felt the whole game.” When you see your teammate make another play, you want to make a play too.

McMillian said that motivation came in part from watching outside linebacker Nik Bonit score the team’s first sixth pick of the day late in the second quarter. Bonitto gave the Broncos a double-digit lead when he intercepted Winston’s pass and returned the ball 71 yards for a touchdown. With the game-changing play, Bonitto became one of only two players in the last 20 years to record double-digit sacks and a pick six of at least 70 yards in a season. Bonitto also noted that the play was his first touchdown since his senior year of high school.

“I tried to tell people that I used to play it safe, and people are surprised,” Bonitto said with a laugh. “(I’m) just trying to do my job. When I saw an opportunity to break on the ball, I just did it.”

While the game featured four lead changes and multiple momentum changes, safety PJ Locke said the defense had “full confidence” in its ability to get the job done in the fourth quarter, noting it was all about execution.

And when inside linebacker Cody Barton added Denver’s third takeaway of the day with an interception in the end zone to officially seal the win, that execution was clearly on display. For Cooper, the performance was just one highlight in a series of key moments that illustrate the unit’s robustness and resilience.

“I just feel like it’s the work we put in,” Cooper said. “You know, hard work and stuff like that always wins. It’s about being ready and being in shape at the end of the game. When it comes to the third and fourth quarters, you have to try harder. I know everyone on the team feels that, and that’s what we did.

The resilience of the defense – which Payton said contributed greatly to the team’s victory – now sends Denver into the bye week with added motivation to finish the final weeks of the season strong.

“It’s just the toughness,” Bonitto said. “Not just our defense, but the (entire) team. If necessary, no matter what the situation, we will find a way to win. And that’s what we did.”