Denzel Rice read the play right away, diagnosing a pass intended for New England Patriots tight end Jacob Hollister.
And Rice intercepted the throw from Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, returning it 36 yards to set up running back D'Onta Foreman's four-yard touchdown run for a 27-23 win over the defending Super Bowl champions.
It was an encouraging play by Rice, a former All-Big South Conference cornerback from Coastal Carolina who recorded nine tackles in three games last season after he was promoted from the practice squad.
Rice is a big corner at 6-foot, 196 pounds and runs well.