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Marc Raimondi, ESPN Staff Writer
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons defense was having trouble getting off the field against the New Orleans Saints until its 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. A Younghoe Koo extra point 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.📺: #NOvsATL on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/jzejqezNfs— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2024
At the beginning of training camp in Atlanta, neither Judon nor Andersen might have been on the field for that play. 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 been helping to 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 with a pectoral/shoulder injury.
The Falcons have two non-offensive touchdowns in a game for the first time since Week 14 of 2016 against the Los Angeles Rams, per ESPN Research.
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed muffed a Bradley Pinion punt inside the Saints 5-yard line and the ball caromed 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
FOX | NFL+ pic.twitter.com/j6xNDocO3K
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) September 29, 2024
The Falcons took a 7-0 lead with 11:13 left in the first quarter after a Koo extra point.
Hodge, 29, has not taken any offensive snaps this season, but is on the 53-man roster for his special teams prowess. It paid off for the seven-year veteran and the Falcons early in what could be a key NFC South game.
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