Quan Martin's INT Caps Strong Day for Washington Commanders Rookies vs. New England Patriots

The Washington Commanders' rookie class starred in a win over the New England Patriots, headlined by safety Quan Martin's game-winning interception.

In need of a win after consecutive losses, the Washington Commanders (4-5) found exactly what they were looking for in Sunday's 20-17 victory over the New England Patriots (2-7) in Foxboro - and Washington's rookies played a part in it.

Second-round safety Quan Martin's game-sealing interception on Patriots quarterback Mac Jones put a bow on the afternoon but served as a microcosm of an overall impressing showing rather than the lone highlight.

The Commanders' first-round pick, cornerback Emmanuel Forbes, made three tackles and registered two pass breakups, tying his career high.

A pair of defensive ends in fifth-round pick K.J. Henry and seventh-round selection Andre Jones Jr. each made an impact.

Henry, playing in just his second professional game and the first since Week 1, had a strip-sack on Jones negated after a questionable roughing the passer penalty.

This is the worst roughing call I’ve ever seen. Negated a sack-fumble for rookie KJ Henry. Would have been his first career sack.

Do better, @NFL. This is a joke. pic.twitter.com/MMtgYj7PnA

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) November 5, 2023

Jones, who was a healthy scratch last week with only six defensive snaps to his name entering Sunday, batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage and added a solo tackle.

Even running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. found a way to make his presence felt despite not seeing a touch on offense, as he made a key tackle on special teams to drop Patriots punt returner Demario Douglas for a two-yard loss and pin New England deep on its own five-yard line.

Jartavius "Quan" Martin sealed the Washington Commanders' victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday with a late interception / USA Today

It was a tumultuous week for the Commanders, who received considerable criticism for the trades and ensuing capital returns of defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young.

But with several members of the rookie class making contributions in the victory and second-year quarterback Sam Howell passing for 325 yards while fellow second-year pros Jahan Dotson and Brian Robinson Jr. scored touchdowns, the future in Washington appears brighter than it did entering the day.

The Commanders' young core will look to repeat this week's performance next Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks (5-3), with kickoff at Lumen Field set for 4:25 p.m. EST.