ATLANTA – The Atlanta Falcons trailed the New Orleans Saints 14-10 midway through the second quarter when Saints quarterback Derek Carr turned left and threw a screen pass to receiver Chris Olave.

But Carr’s pass never reached Olave.

Falcons outside linebacker Matthew Judon deflected the pass, which floated in the air and back toward Carr, but it crossed the line of scrimmage — and into the waiting hands of Falcons linebacker Troy Andersen.

After securing the catch, Andersen had to beat Carr in a foot race — and for Andersen, who ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine two and a half years ago, the task proved simple enough.

Here’s a look at Andersen’s 47-yard pick-six…

Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo scored the extra point, giving Atlanta a 17-14 lead over New Orleans. Andersen’s play marked the Falcons’ second touchdown of the game, but neither was scored by the team’s offense.

Atlanta’s first trip to the end zone came courtesy of its special teams unit, as shooter KhaDarel Hodge pounced on a muffed kick from Saints returner Rashid Shaheed after the ball trickled past the goal line.

The Falcons defense struggled early, allowing touchdowns on each of the Saints’ first two drives. And as New Orleans approached midfield before Andersen’s pick six, the play gave Atlanta a key momentum shift.

Led by Andersen dropping running back Alvin Kamara for a loss of two yards, the Falcons forced the Saints to punt from midfield on the ensuing drive.

So for Andersen, who has taken on a bigger role after linebacker Nate Landman’s quad and calf injuries, Sunday’s game is off to a productive start.