Ja'Quan McMillian OT interception: How Broncos cornerback stole ball from Brandin Cooks and saved Denver's season

The Broncos were always going to need a memorable play to take down the Bills and their noted archer, Josh Allen.

Many believed that responsibility would fall upon Bo Nix. In the end, though, Denver's vaunted defense came through, with unheralded cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian proving the hero after an eye-catching — and controversial — overtime takeaway.

With that, here's a look at McMillian's interception, a moment that will live on in Broncos' playoff lore after their 33-30 overtime win over Buffalo in the AFC divisional round.

MORE: How Bills turnovers doomed Buffalo in playoff loss to Denver

Ja'Quan McMillian OT interception

Allen uncorked an effort on third-and-11 inside the Bills' 36, attempting to find Brandin Cooks deep in Broncos territory. Cooks appeared to have a step on McMillian, whose arms were flailing as he tracked down the veteran wideout.

Cooks appeared to rip the unruly effort out the sky. But as he rolled over, he lost grasp of the orb. The ball fell into McMillian's hands, who kept possession as he crashed to the canvas.

JA'QUAN MCMILLIAN INTERCEPTION

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McMillian showed the ball to the referees as he traipsed down the field. Despite early protestations, the refereeing crew ruled that McMillian — not Cooks — was the rightful owner of the ball. Six plays later, Will Lutz's kick danced through the uprights, delivering a momentous — and memorable — win for the Broncos.

Why was play not ruled a catch by Brandin Cooks?

The NFL's possession rules call for a player to maintain possession after going to ground for an attempted catch to be declared legal. While Cooks leapt high to collect Allen's effort and landed on the ground, he failed to establish himself before McMillian ripped the ball away from his grasp.

Rule 8, Article 3 of the official NFL rule book offers more context for the referee's decision to declare Cooks' attempted grab a McMillian interception. It reads as follows:

A player who makes a catch may advance the ball. A forward pass is complete (by the offense) or intercepted (by the defense) in the field of play, at the sideline, or in the end zone if a player, who is inbounds:

1. secures control of the ball in his hands or arms prior to the ball touching the ground; and
2. touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands; and
3. after (a) and (b) have been fulfilled, clearly performs any act common to the game (e.g., extend the ball forward, take an additional step, tuck the ball away and turn upfield, or avoid or ward off an opponent), or he maintains control of the ball long enough to do so.

Notes:

1. Movement of the ball does not automatically result in loss of control.
2. If a player, who satisfied (a) and (b), but has not satisfied (c), contacts the ground and loses control of the ball, it is an incomplete pass if the ball hits the ground before he regains control, or if he regains control out of bounds.
3. A receiver is considered a player in a defenseless posture (See Rule 12, Section 2, Article 9) throughout the entire process of the catch and until the player is capable of avoiding or warding off the impending contact of an opponent.
4. If a pass is caught simultaneously by two eligible opponents, and both players retain it, the ball belongs to the passers. It is not a simultaneous catch if a player gains control first and an opponent subsequently gains joint control. If the ball is muffed after simultaneous touching by two such players, all the players of the passing team become eligible to catch the loose ball.
5. If a player, who is in control of the ball, is held up and carried out of bounds by an opponent before both feet or any part of his body other than his hands touches the ground inbounds, it is a completed or intercepted pass. It is not necessary for the player to maintain control of the ball when he lands out of bounds.
6. If any part of the foot hits out of bounds during the normal continuous motion of taking a step (heel-toe or toe-heel) then the foot is out. A player is inbounds if he drags his foot, or if there is a delay between the heel-toe or toe-heel touching the ground.  

Cooks did not satisfy the first part of Rule 4. As a result, the ball was still live, allowing for McMillian to swoop in and make the interception.

MORE: What is a catch in the NFL?

Ja'Quan McMillian season stats

McMillian showed out in his fourth season, posting the best numbers of his career while dovetailing with the likes of Surtain and Moss in the secondary. He recorded career-highs in forced fumbles (2) and sacks (4.0) while tying matching his career-best interception total. Suffice to say, it was a career year for McMillian, who added to his growing legacy with his highlight reel grab on Saturday.

How old is Ja'Quan McMillian?

McMillian is 25 years old. He'll turn 26 on June 4. He's one of three 25-year-olds manning the secondary for Denver, joining reigning Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II and Riley Moss. 

Ja'Quan McMillian contract details

• Years:  One
• Value: $1.03 million

McMillian inked a one-year, $1.03 million extension with the Broncos ahead of the 2025 season. Denver assigned him an exclusive-rights free agent tender, explaining his fairly paltry figure. He's likely to see a big raise in the offseason.