McMillian interception helps Denver Broncos top Cleveland Browns in 952-yard shootout

Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Ja'Quan McMillian jumped a route in the flat and snatched the football for an interception in front of Elijah Moore, sealing a narrow win for the Denver Broncos, who topped the Cleveland Browns in a primetime shootout.

McMillian's interception, which he returned for a 44-yard touchdown, came with less than two minutes remaining in the 41-32 triumph Monday in Denver. Linebacker Nik Bonitto also recorded a 71-yard interception return for a score for the Broncos.

"Through all the bad things, we just stuck together," McMillian told reporters. "We had some talks on the sideline trying to get everybody focused and made sure everybody communicated. It just shows all the work we put in and the bond that we have the locker room.

"We didn't split up. We stayed together and kept fighting to the end."

The Monday Night Football matchup featured nine touchdowns and 952 yards of offense. Browns quarterback Jameis Winston threw for a career-high 497 yards and four scores, but also tossed three interceptions.

"Some games go in a direction you think they are going to go. Obviously that one went in a much different direction," Broncos coach Sean Payton said.

"We did enough and made enough plays in the end to win."

Broncos running back Javonte Williams capped a 12-play, 63-yard drive with a 2-yard rushing score to start the scoring 10:47 into the night. Winston answered with an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end David Njoku about three minutes later.

Cornerback Greg Newsome II intercepted Broncos quarterback Bo Nix early in the second quarter for more Browns momentum. Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins went on to make a 45-yard field goal about four minutes later for a 10-7 edge.

Fullback Michael Burton ran for a 1-yard score with four minutes remaining in the quarter, giving the lead back to the Broncos. On the next drive, Bonito then snatched his interception from Winston and raced into the end zone.

Winston answered with an 11-play, 70-yard scoring drive. He found Njoku for another score to end that possession, but the Browns still trailed 21-17 at halftime.

Nix ripped a pass out of his own end zone, finding wide receiver Marvin Mims for a 93-yard score about five minutes into the second half. Winston responded with a 70-yard touchdown toss to wide receiver Jerry Jeudy on the first play of the next drive.

Broncos kicker Wil Lutz made a 36-yard field goal for the only other points of the third quarter.

Winston threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to running back Nick Chubb about six minutes into the fourth. Lutz gave the Broncos more cushion with a 27-yard field goal with less than three minutes remaining. McMillian then sealed the victory by picking off a Winston pass just four plays later.

Linebacker Cody Barton went on to intercept Winston for a third time in the final seconds.

Jeudy recorded a career-high 235 yards and a score in the loss. Moore chipped in 111 yards on eight catches. Mims and fellow Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton logged 105 and 102 receiving yards, respectively.

Bonito registered a sack and two passes defensed, in addition to his interception for a score. Nix completed 18 of 35 passes for 294 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.

The Broncos (8-5) are on bye in Week 14. The Browns (3-9) will battle the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3) in an AFC North divisional matchup at 1 p.m. EST Sunday in Pittsburgh.

"We're coming off a short week, but it is a division opponent who we recently faced," Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. "I think they played one time, and we've played one time in between. We know how important division games are."