Two unheralded Broncos defensive players made the two biggest plays in win over Bills

Travis Wakeman

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Two unheralded Broncos defensive players made the two biggest plays in win over Bills image

The Denver Broncos are on to the AFC Championship Game after a wild, back-and-forth victory over the Buffalo Bills. The Broncos withstood everything Josh Allen and the Bills had in order to pull off the win in overtime. 

There was a time when it looked like the Bills were going to make things ugly and later in the game, a time when the Bills were inches away from putting the Broncos away. Two incredible defensive plays helped alter history and send the Bills home unhappy one more time. 

After watching the Broncos methodically go down the field on their opening drive to kick a field goal, the Bills answered with an equally impressive drive, capping it off with a touchdown. On their following drive, the Broncos went three-and-out and the Bills quickly moved the ball down the field again. 

After Allen ran the ball 26 yards down to the Broncos' 32-yard line, linebacker Alex Singleton put a perfect hit on Bills running back James Cook, popping the ball loose. Talanoa Hufanga and that play helped shift the momentum away from Buffalo, who was threatening to take a 14-3 lead. 

After the game went to overtime, the Broncos started with the ball and had an extremely disappointing three-and-out possession. It seemed like Allen was going to orchestrate another superhero moment and get the Bills down the field for a game-winning field goal. 

Instead, on 3rd-and-11 from their own 36-yard line, Allen launched the ball downfield for Brandin Cooks, who was open for a moment and nearly made an incredible catch over defensive back Ja'Quan McMillian. Instead, McMillian, who was beaten on the play, made an incredible play on the ball to not only make sure Cooks didn't complete the catch, but he actually came up with the ball himself. 

Cooks is inches away from making the catch and setting the Bills up in position to almost certainly deal the Broncos a heartbreaking loss. The game can be that close sometimes. 

Ja'Quan McMillian, Alex Singleton stand out as stars in divisional playoff win

Singleton and McMillian are rarely discussed when the topic of the Broncos' defense comes up. They are seen as role players, but both players are consistent contributors to what is considered one of the best defenses in the league. 

Singleton is regularly the team's best tackler and though he has his struggles in the passing game, he is an integral piece of this defensive unit. His play on Cook in this game was the biggest momentum-shifter of the day. 

As for McMillian, he came into the league as an undrafted free agent with little expectations surrounding him. He is a consistently good defensive back for this team and that is why any talk of trading him after the team used its first-round pick on Jahdae Barron was a bad idea. 

The Broncos are onto the AFC Championship Game for the 12th time in their history. They will lean on guys like Singleton and McMillian to get one more win and head to the Super Bowl. 

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Contributing Writer