It was déjà vu for Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter.

After the team claimed Marcus Maye off waivers last Wednesday, it became apparent the veteran safety would play a role in the game due to some injuries in the secondary.

Maye not only played 21 snaps, but he provided one of the biggest plays of the game with a fourth-quarter interception in the back of the end zone that took away points for the Falcons.

And as Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh shared following the game, it was something that Minter had a feeling would happen.

"Jesse called it," Harbaugh said after the win. "Jesse predicted that he would get an interception… [he] had the crystal ball out."

When asked about it, Minter confirmed it on Thursday.

"I did," Minter said with a smile.

The prediction from Minter was spot on, and it stemmed from a past experience.

Minter said he called his shot after getting a similar feeling to a situation back when he was in Baltimore.

While an assistant defensive backs coach with the Ravens in 2019, the team traded for cornerback Marcus Peters ahead of Week 7. Like Maye, Peters had to get adjusted quickly and contribute that same week.

From the days the two arrived with their new team, to the cross-country travel, Minter was getting déjà vu when Maye became a Charger.

"[Peters] got there maybe late Wednesday night or Thursday, very similar to Marcus' timeline," Minter said. "Ironically, the way that travel worked out he was coming from the West Coast to Baltimore, all the way across the country.

"Two days later we were getting on a plane and going back to the West Coast to go to Seattle to play Seattle," Minter added. "He ended up having a pick 6 in the game, it was his first game with us."

Even though the defensive playcaller was joking, Minter knew the veteran safety was capable of that type of play.

And he delivered in a big way.

"It was almost a little bit joking, like 'Okay, we've done this before,'" Minter said. "Very similar guys, they're veteran players, they know how to play, they know defense, it's just a matter of them understanding your terminology. They both have made a bunch of plays in their career.

"Just sort of had that flashback to the last time I was in a similar situation and thought watching a bunch of his tape, this guy can go get the ball," Minter continued. "He's got really elite ball sense, ball skills, middle of the field-type safety that's got range."

Minter later added: "I'm glad he proved it right."

Maye was well aware of this story, too, heading into the week.

The veteran safety said Minter told him about it in early conversations after he joined the team.

And after he actually did haul in a big interception, the two were able to laugh about the way it became a reality.

"We were on the phone Wednesday, he was like, 'Last time I was in this situation, we got a guy, had to fly him across the country, he ended up getting a pick 6.' He was like, 'No pressure, but I'm holding you to it,'" Maye said with a laugh. "I was like, 'Alright, we'll see.' I was just fortunate to get that interception and actually laugh and be able to joke about it with coach."

He later added: "[On the sideline] I was like, 'Told you, here you go.' It was good, we spoke it into existence."

While Maye's interception wasn't a pick 6 the other way — that highlight went to Tarheeb Still — it was just as big in the outcome of the game.

With just over nine minutes left in the fourth quarter and the Bolts holding onto a four-point lead, Maye saved both a touchdown and the chance for it to turn into a different game.

"It's such a huge point in the game," Minter said. "If they just throw it away and get a field goal right there, that last part of the game is played different with the potential one-point lead instead of a four point lead where you're defending a touchdown.

"Red-zone defense to me, critical, huge, just his ability. Kind of took away the initial throw, turned it into a little bit of a scramble drill, didn't panic, caught the ball, got his feet down," Minter added. "Elite play by him."

It was a whirlwind of a week for Maye, who has since been able to reflect on his unique experience.

Now with the Chargers for a full game week heading into Kansas City, the veteran said he feels much more comfortable and had praise for the way the coaching staff had made quick and tough transitions like this so seamless.

"That's hats off to the coaching staff. They do a great job of getting the guys ready," Maye said. "Like I said, we were on the phone all night, 'FaceTime me if you need to, send me videos or pictures if you have any questions.' 11:30, 12 o'clock at night they're still answering the phone.

"Early mornings like last week, we were [talking at] 6:00 a.m., 5:30 a.m. Even today we were like 6:30, 7 a.m. They do a great job, they put in a lot of work," Maye continued. "The slides the do, the presentations, everything is on point.

"Being able to get a full week and see all that, I could see why everybody has been able to catch up pretty well," Maye added. "They do a great job explaining and coaching."

And predicting, too.