NE Atlanta News

ATLANTA — Players like Troy Andersen and Dee Alford are not usually seen as the standout heroes of the Falcons' defensive unit. Typically, players such as Jessie Bates III, Grady Jarrett, or A.J. Terrell receive that recognition. However, in a 26-24 victory over the New Orleans Saints, it was Andersen and Alford who earned praise.

Alford commemorated the moment after Andersen's first-career pick-6 by ensuring he retrieved the ball for him. "Things like that you got to cherish," Alford said. "It's hard in the NFL to get an interception, let alone a pick-6, so I made sure he got the ball."

Both players had career performances on Sunday night. Along with his first interception returned for a touchdown, Andersen recorded a career-high 16 total tackles, a pass breakup, and a tackle for loss. "He plays with tremendous speed," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said of Andersen. "He plays with a tremendous violence that we love."

Alford secured his first career solo sack during the win. He had previously achieved a half-sack in 2022 but was eager for his first full one. When he brought down Saints quarterback Derek Carr in the third quarter, he understood its significance immediately.

"I was very aware; that's special; it's special," Alford said. "We wrote that play at practice and I just kept coming free... And for coach to call that play — that means he trusts me —and for me to be able to get that sack on a critical down is big."

Preparation also led to another key play by Alford later in the game when he broke up a potential touchdown on fourth down at the goal line. The Falcons' scout team had identified this specific Saints' play ahead of time, allowing Alford to make the crucial stop.

"It's a got-to-have-it situation... In the words of NFL players, 'it's how you get paid.' So you got to keep on making those big plays," Alford said.

Alford expressed confidence in maintaining this level of performance moving forward: "This is my norm; this is how I should play every game."

Grady Jarrett typically receives much of the praise within this unit but expressed pride in his teammates after their notable performances. "These guys put so much work in... Hopefully that will continue to push them to be better," Jarrett said. "But as a big brother, as a teammate, I love to see it... they deserve it."