Falcons take lead vs. Saints on Troy Andersen pick-six

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.

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.

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.