Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson delivered a standout performance in the team’s 34-27 victory over the Washington Commanders at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday. During the game, Robinson made a notable play by catching a short pass and sprinting for 67 additional yards, reaching a personal best speed of 21.85 mph according to Next Gen Stats. Despite his effort, he was tackled seven yards short of the end zone by Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves, who reached 22.62 mph.
“I was so mad,” Robinson said. “I ain’t gonna lie. Like he had an angle on me. But I saw him and was like, ‘I’m gonna outrun him.’ And he got my foot.”
On the following play, tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. scored a touchdown for Atlanta, contributing to one of four touchdowns in the game for the Falcons.
Robinson had already scored earlier with a 14-yard touchdown run but expressed disappointment that his long reception did not result in another touchdown.
By the end of the game, Robinson accumulated 17 carries for 75 rushing yards and one touchdown, along with four receptions for a career-high 106 receiving yards from five targets. His total of 181 yards from scrimmage marks him as only the fourth Falcon ever to achieve at least 70 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards in one game; Maurice Smith (2001), William Andrews (1982), and Harmon Wages (1969) are the others.
Robinson is also the first Atlanta running back since Devonta Freeman in 2017 to record at least 175 scrimmage yards in a single game.
His consistency continues as well: Robinson has now reached at least 100 scrimmage yards in ten consecutive games, tying him for second-most all-time among Falcons players behind William Andrews’ streak of twenty-five games from 1980-81.
Looking ahead, Robinson could match or break another team record if he achieves at least 100 scrimmage yards in his next outing after starting this season with four such performances; Andrews holds that record as well with five games to start a season in 1983.
“I’ll be an overall all-around player,” Robinson said. “Do it in the run game. Do it in the pass game. That’s why I’m here, to show the gifts that God’s given me on both sides from running routes being a receiver to being a running back. That’s what I like to do. It only helps this offense; it only helps this team. For me to just get the ball in space, it doesn’t matter what it looks like, that’s what we love to do.”
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris supported this approach: “Just find more ways to get him the football,” Morris said. “He’s an unbelievable football player. I keep saying it, and he keeps going out there and proving it.”
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who connected with Robinson during key plays throughout Sunday’s win, also commented on their chemistry: “As long as I do that, I feel like we’re in a good spot,” Penix said. “There’s a lot of confidence there. Obviously, the player that he is, the person that he is it shows on the field. It’s great to have him on my team.”
The Falcons selected Robinson eighth overall in the 2023 draft and have seen positive results since then.
Robinson will have some time before his next appearance as Atlanta enters its bye week before hosting Buffalo on October 13 during Monday Night Football.
“It sucks we have a bye week,” Robinson said, “because I just want to go back to get into it next week already.”
