Unsung heroes Troy Andersen, Dee Alford notch career nights in victory over Saints

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.”