FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — When Falcons linebacker Troy Andersen came up with his first interception in Week 4 against the New Orleans Saints, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett had one immediate thought.
"Ain't nobody catching Troy, that boy can run," Atlanta's team captain said after the 26-24 win.
Jarrett proved prophetic as nobody caught Andersen, and he delivered his first career pick-six. That play punctuated a performance that earned Andersen his first NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors, the NFL announced Wednesday.
Andersen recorded a career-high 16 tackles, including nine solo, a pass breakup and a tackle for loss against the Saints. And, of course, the interception that gave Atlanta a 17-14 lead midway through the second quarter. He led all NFL defenders in tackles in Week 4. On a day when the offense was held out of the end zone, Andersen's contribution was crucial for the Falcons.
Falcons defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake had a different thought than many when Andersen sprinted 47 yards for the touchdown, though. "Get the guys oxygen. Get them water. Get them Gatorade. We're back up," he remembers thinking in the moment.
On the next drive, Andersen made sure they got off the field quickly. Andersen took down running back Alvin Kamara in the backfield for a loss on third and short. Kamara is the NFL's league leader in yards from scrimmage this season, but Andersen was effective in keeping him contained. The Saints' star finished with 119 total yards and a score, but he averaged just 4.6 yards per touch and never completely took over.
Through 23 games in three seasons, Andersen has totaled 132 tackles, five for a loss, two pass breakups, four quarterback hits, a forced fumble — and now — an interception and touchdown.
This is the second time a Falcons defender has been recognized this season. Jessie Bates III earned his third Defensive Player of the Week nod after the Week 2 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. This is the first time Andersen has earned this recognition in his career.
Andersen left Atlanta's win due to a knee injury, and head coach Raheem Morris said Monday that the linebacker is on a "day-to-day" timeline. When on the field, Andersen has been valuable for the defense, and the Falcons see the potential for the inside linebacker to keep making a sizable impact.
"Troy's playing at a really high level. He studies his tail off. He puts the work in behind the scenes that nobody sees," Lake said. "He's obviously extremely talented. He's got big, physical traits. He's fast, but really, really smart. We're able to do a lot of different things with him."
"And that game-change-of-play that he made is going to be one of many that he's going to make here."
Take an overhead look back at the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans during Week 4, shot on Sony.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 runs out before the Week 4 game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons run out before the Week 4 game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Storm Norton #77 runs out before the Week 4 game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #20 celebrates with inside linebacker Troy Andersen #44 during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes #21 runs to the sideline during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 catches a pass during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 hikes the ball during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
The Atlanta Falcons make a big stop during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
The defense attempts to block the kick during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
A general view of the team during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 celebrates after a big play during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
A general view of the field during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 runs with the ball during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris looks up at the halo board during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 celebrates with teammates after a touchdown during the Week 4 game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 leads the huddle during the Week 4 game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
A view of the Halo Board during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
A view of the Halo Board during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
The Atlanta Falcons celebrate after a big stop during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 throws the ball during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 warms up before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 scores a touchdown off a muffed punt during the Week 4 game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
General view of the halo board during the Week 4 game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
General view of the halo board during the Week 4 game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Troy Andersen #44 celebrates with teammates after a pick six during the Week 4 game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
General view of the halo board before the Week 4 game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tackle Jake Matthews #70 warms up before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints huddle during the Week 4 game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
General view of the Atlanta Falcons offense during the Week 4 game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive end James Smith-Williams #50 rushes the quarterback during the Week 4 game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
General view of the halo board during the Week 4 game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 warms up before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 scores a field goal during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 runs with the ball during the Week 4 game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 celebrates with teammates after kicking the game winning field goal during the Week 4 game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 scores a field goal during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 scores a field goal during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Matthew Judon #15 rushes the quarterback during the Week 4 game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 scores a field goal during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 scores a field goal during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
A view of the Halo Board during the Week 4 Game win against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 scores a field goal during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
General view of the halo board during the Week 4 game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
