The Falcons take the lead against the Saints with Troy Andersen’s pick-six

ATLANTA – The Atlanta Falcons defense had trouble getting off the field against the New Orleans Saints until their pass rush got through and resulted in a timely interception.

Edge rusher Matthew Judon got a hand on a pass from New Orleans quarterback Derek Carr and the wobbly ball was intercepted by inside linebacker Troy Andersen, who took it back 47 yards for a touchdown. An extra point from Younghoe Koo gave the Falcons a 17-14 lead over the Saints with 7:54 left in the second quarter.

Matt Judon gets the tip.
Troy Anderson receives the PICK SIX.

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At the start of training camp in Atlanta, neither Judon nor Andersen was believed to have been on the field for this game. The Falcons acquired Judon, a Pro Bowl pass rusher, from the New England Patriots in a trade a week before the start of the regular season. Andersen helped sign starting linebacker Nate Landman, who is on injured reserve with a calf injury.

It was Andersen’s first career interception and touchdown. The 25-year-old missed most of last season with a chest/shoulder injury.

According to ESPN Research, the Falcons scored two non-offensive touchdowns in a game for the first time since Week 14 of 2016 against the Los Angeles Rams.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed parried a punt from Bradley Pinion inside the Saints’ 5-yard line and the ball rolled into the end zone. Falcons safety Micah Abernathy was there first, followed by wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge, who jumped on it for an Atlanta touchdown.

We’ll take that, thank you

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After a Koo extra point, the Falcons took a 7-0 lead with 11:13 left in the first quarter.

The 29-year-old Hodge hasn’t made any offensive shots yet this season but is on the 53-man roster because of his special teams skills. It paid off for the seven-year veteran and the Falcons early in what could be a pivotal NFC South game.