Atlanta Falcons LB Andersen receives pick-six against Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints

ATLANTA – Midway through the second quarter, the Atlanta Falcons were trailing the New Orleans Saints 14-10 when Saints quarterback Derek Carr turned left to throw a screen pass to receiver Chris Olave.

But Carr’s pass never reached Olave.

Falcons outside linebacker Matthew Judon deflected the pass that floated in the air and back to Carr, but it crossed the line of scrimmage — and landed in the waiting hands of Falcons linebacker Troy Andersen.

After securing the catch, Andersen had to beat Carr in a footrace – and the task proved simple enough for Andersen, who ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine two and a half years ago.

Here’s a look at Andersen’s 47-yard pick-six…

Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo made the extra point, giving Atlanta a 17-14 lead over New Orleans. Andersen’s play was the Falcons’ second touchdown of the game, but neither was scored by the team’s offense.

Atlanta’s first trip to the end zone came courtesy of its special forces team when shooter KhaDarel Hodge pounced on a weakened punt from Saints returner Rashid Shaheed after the ball slipped across the goal line.

The Falcons defense struggled early, allowing touchdowns on each of the Saints’ first two drives. And while New Orleans was approaching midfield before Andersen’s pick-six, the play gave Atlanta an important boost.

Led by Andersen, who dropped running back Alvin Kamara for a two-yard loss, the Falcons forced the Saints to punt from midfield on the ensuing drive.

So Sunday’s game got off to a productive start for Andersen, who has taken on a larger role following linebacker Nate Landman’s quad and calf injuries.