FOXBOROUGH- Rookies Marte Mapu and Alex Austin both got extended playing time in Sunday’s 27-17 loss to the Kansas City. Austin started in place of J.C Jackson and Mapu played in three safety and sub packages. 

Both made an impact despite the Patriots losing. Austin found out prior to the game that he was starting in place of J.C Jackson and made the rookie cornerback out of Oregon State made the most of his opportunity.

When asked what it felt like to get the chance to start, Austin said he was ready.

“I felt ready for the opportunity. Like you said, I’ve been grinding for a long time to get this opportunity. I just was blessed enough to be able to get out there and get that start against a great opponent, a great quarterback, a great offense. So, I felt good, and I felt confident to go out there with a group of guys that I’m battling with every day. The veteran guys made things easier for me out there with communication, and it was just fun to build that camaraderie today with the guys.”

Mapu picked off Patrick Mahomes in the second quarter for his first career interception. His role has expanded in recent weeks and Mapu is always ready to do whatever the defensive staff asks of him.

“I mean from the beginning it’s always been a game plan team from our perspective and I just trust the coaches to put me in when I am needed. We also have great safetys, great linebackers, that have also been playing at a really high level and defense that has been playing at a high level, so I don’t really feel any way in terms of whether I am playing or not. I just want us to win.”

When a team is having a season like the Patriots are having, it is tough to find positives. One of the positives is that a losing season create opportunities for young players to play and develop. The team now has an opportunity to evaluate what they have at some positions ahead of next season. 

Both Mapu and Austin came away from their experience on Sunday feeling good about the way they played.

“Personally, I feel like I had a great game,”said Austin but there’s always things to clean up. You’re never as good as you think and never as bad, so looking forward to coming in tomorrow and breaking down the film with the coaches and getting my coaching points.”

Mapu echoed a similar sentiment when asked about his interception and how he played but ultimately he wants to win. 

“I mean it’s good but we want to get into the end zone and we want to win for the team.”

Both Mapu and Austin have earned more playing time moving forward and if they continue to improve, it bodes well for them and the Patriots moving forward.