The Denver Broncos secured a 19-3 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18, clinching the top seed in the AFC and tying a franchise record with their 14th regular-season win. Head Coach Sean Payton emphasized the importance of winning the turnover battle during preparations for the game, showing players a video of defensive takeaways from his three seasons with the team.
“Coach has been harping on it all week,” said outside linebacker Nik Bonitto. “… We’ve been hearing it from him about the takeaways, he even played a little video just [of] the last three years, all the takeaways we’ve had on the defense. [It] kind of just paid off today. We were due for a couple.”
The Broncos’ defense delivered two key turnovers: a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown by cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian in the first quarter and a strip-sack by Bonitto in the fourth quarter. Denver also forced turnovers on downs during Los Angeles’ final two possessions.
“You lose a game if you’re not being smart with the ball,” Payton said. “… We talked about it starting tonight. It has to be intentional relative to punching the ball out. … I thought we rushed the quarterback well and kind of kept him where we wanted him. And look, I would say one of the key plays of the game was Ja’Quan’s touchdown.”
McMillian explained that his touchdown came after correcting an error made on a similar play during practice earlier in the week.
“It’s crazy,” McMillian said. “We actually ran that play in practice against that same exact play, and I messed it up, so we had to redo it. [Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph] gave me the coaching point on it. … I was coming down on the ball to make the tackle, it was a tip, he dropped it, [and I] got the tip and just ran it in for the touchdown.”
Fellow cornerback Pat Surtain II commented on McMillian’s impact: “That was the biggest play of the game, for sure,” Surtain said. “… Ja’Quan, he made a great play on the ball, found a lane, found an alley and scored a touchdown. That’s what he [does]. He’s known for making big-time plays just like that, and it was a big pivotal moment in the game, so I’m proud of him.”
Bonitto’s strip-sack set his career high at 14 sacks this season and contributed to Denver tying for fifth-most sacks by any team in one season (68). Rookie Sai’vion Jones recovered Bonitto’s forced fumble; kicker Wil Lutz converted both turnovers into field goals.
“On the play, I felt the guy kind of oversetting throughout the game, and I kept taking inside move, inside move,” Bonitto said. “I finally felt like it was time to just make a play and shoot my shot going outside. I did that, and I ended up getting a strip-sack.”
Denver did not commit any offensive turnovers during this game; their plus-2 turnover margin matched their best mark from earlier this season—also against Los Angeles—and marked their seventh time holding an opponent to 15 points or fewer.
“It’s been a topic of discussion on that side for sure, [so] to see them fully take advantage [is big],” tight end Evan Engram said. “Hopefully, it starts an avalanche of turnovers by them. They’re already a great defense, so that would be really elite for us to keep getting those.”
With this win securing home-field advantage through at least one playoff round at Empower Field at Mile High Stadium, Denver awaits its next opponent as they prepare for postseason competition.
