ATLANTA – The Atlanta Falcons defense struggled to get off the field against the New Orleans Saints until the pass rush came through, leading to a timely interception.

Edge rusher Matthew Judon got a hand on a pass from New Orleans quarterback Derek Carr and the wobbly ball was picked off by inside linebacker Troy Andersen, who took it back 47 yards for a touchdown. An extra point by 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 gets the PICK SIX.

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—NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2024

At the start of training camp in Atlanta, neither Judon nor Andersen were on the field for that 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 has helped spell 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 due to a chest/shoulder injury.

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

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed muffed a Bradley Pinion punt inside the Saints’ 5-yard line and the ball ended up in the end zone. Falcons safety Micah Abernathy got there first, followed by wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge, who jumped it for an Atlanta touchdown.

We’ll take that into account, thank you

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— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) September 29, 2024

The Falcons took a 7-0 lead with 11:13 left in the first quarter on an extra point by Koo.

Hodge, 29, has not taken any offensive snaps this season but is on the 53-man roster because of his special teams prowess. It paid off for the seven-year veteran and the Falcons early in what could be a key NFC South matchup.