Deion Jones has 92-yard pick-six on Drew Brees (Video)
Atlanta Falcons rookie linebacker Deion Jones has a 92-yard interception return for a touchdown on New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees to go up 45-25.
The Atlanta Falcons had high expectations for rookie linebacker Deion Jones coming out of LSU in 2016. Atlanta drafted Jones in the second round and asked him to wear the green dot on defense in his third career NFL game on Monday night versus his hometown New Orleans Saints.
Monday Night Football featured two high-octane offenses with Pro Bowlers under center and two very bad NFL defenses. People expected a shootout at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in Week 3 and that’s what they got.
However, there was one defensive play that stood out from this game. With the Saints deep in Falcons territory, Jones was able corral a Drew Brees tipped pass and return it for a 92-yard touchdown on the interception.
90-yard PICK-6!
The New Orleans native @bigdreams_Bo takes the pass all the way home. 😱 #ATLvsNO https://t.co/RlnY9raxFG
— NFL (@NFL) September 27, 2016
This was the first time in 305 passes that Brees threw an interception. He hadn’t thrown a pick in nearly seven NFL games, which was the fourth longest such streak in NFL history. This isn’t surprising, as Brees is one of the 10 greatest quarterbacks to have ever played in the NFL.
More NFL from FanSided:
Dolphins win, but look every bit the total mess
FanSided Sports Asylum: NFL roundup
5 NFL teams that should hire Les Miles
For Jones, this was a huge moment for him and surely all of his family in attendance. Atlanta at best looked shaky on defense against the Saints, but a few turnovers helped give the Falcons a multi-score lead.
Atlanta may have over-drafted in picking Jones out of LSU in the second round in the 2016 NFL Draft, but he came up huge for the Falcons on that particular defensive series. The Falcons are still very much a work in progress on defense for second-year head coach Dan Quinn.
However, Atlanta has shown a knack for forcing turnovers during the Quinn era in Flowery Branch. Winning the turnover differential will be key if the Falcons want to win many more games this season.
More from FanSided