ATLANTA — Right from the kickoff on Monday evening, as soon as the pigskin was in Bijan Robinson’s grasp — arguably the premier running back in the NFL, definitely the most outstanding in Falcons history — he coughed it up right into Buffalo’s grasp. A solitary play, a single miscue, and in an instant, Buffalo and its massive fan contingent inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium held the upper hand.
No way I actually fumbled it on the first play, Robinson mused to himself.
And then, given his spiritual nature, he sought guidance from a higher being.
“Dear Lord,” Robinson implored, “guide me through this, get me through this moment.”
You can decide if the Divine was tuned into the Bills-Falcons matchup. What’s certain is a defensive encroachment penalty negated the turnover, giving the Falcons a reprieve. Seizing this chance, they promptly notched the first of their three opening-half touchdowns, paving the way for a 24-14 triumph over the Bills.
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And Robinson, notably … he kept a tighter grip on the football afterward. He wrapped up the game with 25 touches, amassing 238 combined yards receiving and rushing, capped off by an incredible touchdown run:
“Each time he gets the ball, it feels like he’s on the verge of breaking free, so it was rewarding to witness him finally do it,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris commented post-game. “We’ve eagerly anticipated this moment.”
This contest significantly altered initial assumptions surrounding both squads. Just over a week prior, the Bills were unblemished, considered a shoo-in for the AFC’s top seed and poised to capitalize on their Super Bowl window. Prior to this game, the Falcons were written off after a 30-0 drubbing at the hands of the then-struggling Carolina Panthers.
However, after Atlanta’s sizable victory, the Bills appear surprisingly susceptible, while the Falcons seem remarkably robust. These views could shift, but presently, Atlanta projects as a team on the ascent, and Buffalo as one confronting unanticipated challenges.
Entering the fray, the Bills aimed to recover from their first defeat of the season the week prior against the Patriots. The Falcons, coming off a bye, needed to demonstrate to the league, their supporters, and perhaps themselves, that they weren’t the same disappointing team.
They had to achieve this in front of a substantial, vocal throng of Bills supporters. Atlanta consistently draws traveling fan bases from various cities — the city is easily accessible by air, and the team is often accommodating to visiting teams.
The Falcons, absent from the playoffs since 2017, delivered one of their finest first-half performances in recent memory to commence the game. Robinson fueled the offense, carving open gaps and evading Buffalo defenders across the field.
“When I spot openings, it’s crucial to exploit them, evade tackles, and discourage the opposition,” Robinson explained. “That’s precisely what we achieved tonight.”
With Robinson dominating inside, Michael Penix Jr. was able to throw downfield. Drake London snared a Penix pass just shy of the end zone, and extended to reach across the goal line:
London narrowly missed a second touchdown on the last play of the first half, stepping out of bounds as he dove for the pylon. Regardless, Atlanta carried a 21-7 advantage into halftime, leaving the numerous Bills fans under the retractable roof of Mercedes-Benz Stadium noticeably anxious.
Josh Allen spearheaded touchdown drives for Buffalo at the start of both halves. Nevertheless, the reigning MVP faced constant pressure, with the Falcons showcasing a menacing defense they’ve lacked for years. Buffalo had four three-and-out series, Allen consistently unable to escape containment. He was sacked four times and threw two interceptions, ending the night with 180 passing yards on 15 of 26 completions.
With all due respect to Allen, this was a night when Robinson cemented his place among NFL elite. Robinson dedicates time before each game to studying a different running back from the past, and on Monday, he immersed himself in old Adrian Peterson Oklahoma footage. (This was a significant commitment for a Texas player.) He studied Peterson’s ability to run powerfully and overwhelm defenders, mirroring that approach on Monday night. It’s the kind of performance that garners admiration, including from some notable figures:
“Just another solid game,” Robinson said post-game with a smile. “I can’t say I rate my performances, but this is just a game for me to help my team secure the win.”
Following Monday night, it’s evident that these two teams might not be as initially perceived. The Bills remain a formidable team, undoubtedly among the league’s best, but with discernible and exploitable vulnerabilities. Atlanta, conversely, has seemingly found a new level, highlighted by its composed, calculated final drive that exhausted all three of Buffalo’s timeouts, culminating in a game-sealing interception, Allen’s second of the game.
“We aim to be a playoff-caliber organization, capable of competing in high-stakes games. We engaged in one tonight,” Morris stated. “These are the aspirations from a coaching, playing, and ownership perspective.”
The Falcons now travel to face San Francisco before confronting two more AFC East opponents in Miami and New England. Buffalo, meanwhile, enjoys a week off before taking on the Panthers, followed by another significant showdown with the Chiefs to commence November.
Both teams gained valuable insights on Monday night; their ability to translate that knowledge into victories in the coming weeks will be telling.
