The Falcoholic
PFF’s 12th-highest graded running back of Week 6 is the NFC offensive player of the week!
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson has been the most dynamic player in the league, shredding defenses as a runner and a receiver. Monday Night Football was the perfect opportunity to showcase his skills to the world, and the back did not disappoint.
Bijan’s 81-yard touchdown is the longest rushing touchdown this season, and the game-breaking run was the last feather needed in Robinson’s cap. We haven’t seen offense run through the backfield like this since Michael Turner’s prime. Turns out an unstoppable force in the backfield is a young quarterback’s best friend. However, in Bijan’s case, he’s a friend to everyone in this offense.
He consistently gets more yards than he should. RYOE (Rushing Yards Over Expected) is the difference between actual rushing yards and expected rushing yards on an individual play or series of plays. Bijan Robinson leads the league in RYOE with +129 yards and is third in RYOE/Att (+1.6). That means that hardly anyone is making more out of their runs than Robinson, and the tape backs it up. Bijan consistently turns no gains into 4-yard rushes and 4-yard rushes into 10-yard plays.
The Falcons are asking him to carry the offense unlike any other player we’ve seen in the 404, and Robinson hasn’t blinked—although even Bijan needs a breather every once in a while.
Enjoy Bijan Robinson while he’s here and recognize that what you are witnessing is special.
