WATCH: Mykal Walker's Pick Six Puts Falcons Ahead Of Panthers
The Atlanta Falcons defense is making plays.
During the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers, second-year pro Mykal Walker stunted the Panther offense, picking off Cam Newton and completely shifting the momentum of the game.
It's Walker's first career interception in 29 games with the Falcons.
The Falcons once trailed 7-0, but Cordarrelle Patterson and the offense responded with a touchdown to tie the game. And when it looked like the Panthers would take the lead once again, the Falcons flipped the script and now hold a 14-7 lead.
It was a big week for Walker who welcomed the birth of his son this week as well.
It's the second straight week where the Falcons have scored a touchdown on defense. Second-year defensive lineman Marlon Davidson picked off Tom Brady near the goal line and walked in for a touchdown in the second quarter last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Falcons are one of eight teams in the NFL to record multiple pick sixes this season, joining the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints and the Buccaneers.
The last time the Falcons recorded pick sixes, the team made the Super Bowl. In Weeks 3 & 4 of the 2016 season, linebacker Deion Jones scored in Week 3 against the Saints, while defensive back Robert Alford picked off Newton against the Panthers. While the Falcons probably won't make the Super Bowl this season, it's encouraging to see the youth of the defense come through with big plays in a year when the offense has struggled.
The Falcons lead 17-7 midway through the second quarter.
