Bijan Robinson Ignites Atlanta Falcons With Explosive Road Performance

Football fans rolled their eyes when the NFL schedule handed them three straight Primetime matchups for the Atlanta Falcons. Sighs followed on social media. Who could blame them? The squad had begun the year with a 0-2 record and was starting third-string quarterback Cooper Rush. Under the bright lights of a national broadcast, they did not look like must-watch television.

But that is where the NFL shines. Every week offers a chance to prove everyone wrong, especially this early in the season. The Falcons are doing just that, transforming into can't-miss entertainment on the gridiron.

Why? It comes down to the man wearing No. 7 on his red and black jersey: running back Bijan Robinson.

In Week 3 against the Green Bay Packers, Robinson had modest showings by his standards during the Falcons' two opening losses before he exploded for 194 yards on 29 carries with two touchdowns in a blowout victory at Lambeau Field.

He went out to the road again this week against a divisional foe in New Orleans. The Saints were celebrating the 20th anniversary of the "Domecoming," an emotional reopening of their beloved Superdome after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city, and they faced these same Falcons once more. Robinson produced another magnificent stat line on just 19 carries. He finished with 145 rushing yards and two touchdowns to help lead a 45-17 thrashing that moved Atlanta to 2-2 on the season. The 1-3 Saints were stumped all night long in their own stadium.

Robinson's agility, explosiveness, and consistent running are pure joy for fans of the great game. His first touch went for 59 yards and a touchdown on a run where he hit 21 mph without looking like he broke a sweat. Then came the tough-nosed running in the red area that breaks the spirit of a defense, as he made it 14-0 in the first quarter with a four-yard touchdown run.

And just as they did last week, the Falcons are spreading the wealth. Brian Robinson Jr., Bijan's backup, scored three times and rushed for 62 yards on 14 carries, edging out his counterpart in touchdowns.

Then there is Michael Penix Jr., tasked with conducting the offense timely and making key throws to keep drives alive. Thank goodness he is back healthy and doing just that. He went 15-of-20 for 223 yards with a touchdown pass to Jahan Dotson, getting himself involved in the scoring. He also tossed the rock to Drake London. Last week against Green Bay, London matched Bijan with 194 yards through the air, and he finished this game with five catches for 96 yards.

The Falcons' offensive line shares a large part of making this magic happen. The defense has been solid over the past two weeks too, allowing the ball to get back into the hands of Penix, Robinson, and others as much as possible.

Watching this Falcons team over the last two weeks has been pure joy because one of the best players in the sport put on back-to-back spectacles in Primetime. There is still one more game to go on Sunday night against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5.

"I love the Primetime games under the lights. It brings out a different energy, and I just love this team," Bijan Robinson said after the game.