Bijan Robinson fuels Falcons in MNF win towards Payments

ATLANTA — Michael Penix Jr. made all of the performs mandatory in his “Monday Night time Soccer” debut and had loads of assist from operating again Bijan Robinson and extensive receiver Drake London en path to the Atlanta Falcons beating the Buffalo Payments 24-14 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Penix, the second-year quarterback, was 20-of-32 for 250 yards passing and a landing. Robinson had 170 yards dashing, together with an 81-yard landing run, and one other 68 receiving. London had 10 catches for 158 yards and a landing. It was the second time Robinson and London every had 150 yards and a landing as teammates of their careers. They’re the one Falcons teammates to do it greater than as soon as for the reason that 1970 merger, per ESPN Analysis.

Atlanta’s protection might need been even higher than its offense. The Falcons compelled the Payments into 4 three-and-outs, which was double Buffalo’s highest single-game complete of the season coming in, and sacked quarterback Josh Allen 4 instances.

Listed here are a very powerful issues to know from Monday evening for each groups:

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Drake London steps out of bounds simply earlier than hitting pylon

Drake London seems to dive for a landing, however his foot lands out of bounds a yard brief for the Falcons as time expires within the first half.

Is Robinson the main contender for NFL Offensive Participant of the Yr? What Robinson has accomplished early this season is exceptional. The third-year operating again has extra yards from scrimmage by means of 5 video games than every other participant in Falcons historical past. His 138 dashing yards on the half had been essentially the most by any participant within the league after two quarters this season. Robinson got here into the sport main the league with 146 yards from scrimmage per sport — after which put up 238 on Monday evening, the second-highest complete within the league this season. Robinson is the second participant to achieve 450 dashing yards and 300 receiving yards by means of his first 5 video games of a season in NFL historical past, becoming a member of Thurman Thomas in 1991, in keeping with ESPN Analysis.

Pattern to observe: The Falcons had been with out two of their high three extensive receivers in Darnell Mooney (hamstring) and Ray-Ray McCloud III (wholesome scratch). McCloud’s absence was a shock. It compelled the Falcons to rely closely on two ability gamers: Bijan Robinson and Drake London, who mixed for 89% of the workforce’s yardage within the first half and got here in with the best share of their workforce’s scrimmage yardage (57%) out of any duo within the NFL, in keeping with ESPN Analysis.

Stat to know: The Falcons’ 335 yards within the first half had been their most earlier than halftime since 2009. For the primary time in Falcons franchise historical past, the workforce had a operating again and extensive receiver — Robinson and London, respectively — eclipse the 100-yard mark within the first half. — Marc Raimondi

Subsequent sport: at San Francisco (8:20 p.m. ET, Oct. 19)

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Payments comes up with an enormous blocked area aim

Parker Romo goes to kick a area aim for Atlanta, however the Payments comes by means of with a giant block.

The frustration was seen from quarterback Josh Allen, who pushed his helmet to the bottom as he sat on the bench as soon as once more after failing to string collectively a drive in the midst of the fourth quarter.

The struggles persevered in Monday’s sport at Atlanta because the Payments (4-2) suffered their second straight loss. Although the protection was sloppy and gave up too many yards, the offense didn’t benefit from alternatives. Within the first half, the Payments punted on 4 straight drives, and although they scored a landing on their first drive of the second half, the spark did not linger. They turned the ball over on downs, giving the Falcons the ball again at their 47-yard line. And even when the Payments blocked a area aim try, the offense responded with back-to-back three-and-outs.

Allen completed the sport 15-for-26 (57.7%) with 180 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 2 interceptions and 4 sacks. He additionally rushed for 42 yards on six carries. Tight finish Dalton Kincaid (indirect) was inactive, and extensive receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle) was injured within the first half and did not return. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady went away from operating again James Prepare dinner III late within the sport and didn’t use him on third downs regardless of Prepare dinner dashing for 87 yards on 17 carries.

After beginning the season scoring 30-plus factors within the first 4 video games, the Payments’ offense has work to do.

The place does the Payments’ offense go from right here? The query begins to change into, do the Payments want to accumulate assistance on on offense as soon as once more, albeit coming off a sport towards one of many league’s high defenses? Final season, the Payments traded for extensive receiver Amari Cooper earlier than the commerce deadline, and the dearth of help round Allen has led to that seeming like a chance once more. Allen was pressured on 47.1% of his dropbacks vs. the Falcons, the best charge for the reason that 2020 AFC Championship Sport (47.4%). Proper now, that is an offense trying to find solutions and assist could be wanted.

Pattern to observe: Accidents. The Payments got here into this sport with two starters — linebacker Matt Milano (pectoral) and tight finish Dalton Kincaid (indirect) — out due to accidents. Earlier than the sport, defensive deal with DaQuan Jones suffered a calf harm in warmups and was dominated out. Extensive receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle) left the sport within the first half, linebacker Terrel Bernard did not play within the second half due to an ankle harm, and security Cole Bishop missed time within the second half due to cramping, however returned within the fourth quarter. The Payments have a bye this coming week, and it could not come at a greater time for much-needed relaxation.

Finest quote out of the locker room: Left deal with Dion Dawkins on what he appears like must be accomplished for the offense to be constant: “I want I had a solution, as a result of I might’ve mentioned it as we speak. However nobody is aware of. We simply received to only maintain taking part in exhausting and maintain being us. Defend our man, defend, play, catch, move, block, do what we do nicely and we’ll be A-OK. It sucks to lose, however as soon as once more, it isn’t the top. It is not the top. Though it would really feel prefer it.”

Stat to know: The Falcons’ 335 first-half yards had been essentially the most that the Payments have allowed earlier than halftime since 2001 (Week 2, at Indianapolis Colts). Missed tackles had been a significant theme for the Payments’ protection, particularly within the first half, however the unit adjusted nicely within the second half. The Falcons had been held to eight internet yards within the third quarter and 109 internet yards within the fourth. — Alaina Getzenberg

Subsequent sport: at Carolina (1 p.m. ET, Oct. 26)