ATLANTA — Typically players like Troy Andersen and Dee Alford are not the names many think of as the heroes of the Falcons defensive unit. Everyone tends to leans towards Jessie Bates III, Grady Jarrett or A.J. Terrell as the ones with that status. However, it was Andersen and Alford whose praises were harmoniously sung in a 26-24 win over the New Orleans Saints.
And it was Alford who made sure to commemorate the moment.
After Andersen's first-career pick-6, Alford was one of the first players who ran up to congratulate the inside linebacker. He took notice of Andersen victoriously throwing the ball toward the stands. Alford quickly scrambled after it, he knew it was a keepsake Andersen would want later.
"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 Andersen and Alford had career outings 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."
Meanwhile, Alford secured his first career solo sack in the win. He had a half-sack in 2022 but was itching for his first full one. When he brought down Saints quarterback Derek Carr in the third quarter, he understood the gravity of the moment immediately.
"I was very aware, like that's special; it's special," Alford said. "We wrote that play at practice and I just kept coming free, coming free at practice. 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 big play by Alford later on in the game. On fourth down at the goal line, Alford broke up a potential touchdown that could have put the Saints up by a point with four minutes and change left.
Ahead of the matchup, the Falcons' scout team identified that specific Saints' play. It was coverage Alford practiced in the lead up to Sunday's game. So, when the time came, he knew he could make the stop.
"It's a got-to-have-it situation. It's one-on-one," Alford said. "In the words of NFL players, 'it's how you get paid.' So, you got to keep on making those big plays."
Alford said he feels this standout performance is his norm, this is how he should play every game. Now, he said, he has the formula to repeat the effort in the future.
To bring things full circle, typically it's Jarrett who's the loudly praised, highly sung hero of this unit. After the win, though, he was proud of his teammates meeting their moment.
"These guys put so much work in, so when we see them able to get the success, to be able to get recognized, it means a lot," Jarrett said. "Hopefully that will continue to push them to be better. But as a big brother, as a teammate, I love to see it. The joy that it brings not only to the players, but to the (fans) when they make big plays like that — they deserve it."
Take a look inside the Atlanta Falcons' locker room during Week 4 against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Atlanta Falcons players prepare in the locker room before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 prepares in the locker room before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 in the locker room before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tackle Jake Matthews #70 prepares in the locker room before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 in the locker room before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Matthew Judon #15 and Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Eddie Goldman #99 prepares in the locker room before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Matthew Judon #15 in the locker room before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 in the locker room before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 in the locker room before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Justin Simmons #31 in the locker room before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 in the locker room before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Jase McClellan #30 in the locker room before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 in the locker room before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 in the locker room before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Kevin King #32 in the locker room before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 prepares in the locker room before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 prepares in the locker room before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 prepares in the locker room before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #20 prepares in the locker room before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tackle Jake Matthews #70 prepares in the locker room before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 in the locker room before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris celebrates in the locker room after the win during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank celebrates in the locker room after the win during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris celebrates in the locker room after the win during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 celebrates in the locker room after the win during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #20 and Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 celebrates in the locker room after the win during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #20 celebrates in the locker room after the win during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 in the locker room after the win during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #20 celebrates in the locker room after the win during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 and Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 celebrates in the locker room after the win during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
