No skill position player in the NFL has amassed more all-purpose yards than Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. With 467 combined rushing and receiving yards, Robinson just barely tops Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs’ 463.
What both of those running backs have in common, aside from their explosive play styles, is they entered their games against the New Orleans Saints as the top defensive focal point.
In order for the Saints to have a chance to evening up their record at 2-2 and possibly claim the top spot in the NFC South on Monday Night Football, the defense must contain Robinson the best way possible.
The Saints have already faced Gibbs and running backs Derrick Henry of Baltimore and Ashton Jeanty of the Las Vegas Raiders in the three weeks of the season. The defense’s performances have been increasingly more effective each week and the Saints fared well against Robinson in their Week 18 game to wrap up last season.
However, Robinson is on a tear right now and is Atlanta’s top offensive threat.
He’s currently averaging 5.3 yards per carry while gaining 4.9 after contact. He’s the perfect example of a running back that creates his own yardage as the Falcons are No. 31 in the NFL in creating yards before contact.
Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, and his front-seven, must take advantage of the lack of yardage creation happening by the Atlanta offensive line and successfully bring Robinson down upon first contact.
Per Next Gen Stats, that’s not been the Saints’ strength on defense to open the season, however. The Saints have the No. 7 highest missed-tackle rate on called runs (16.9%) and have made stops on the first tackle opportunity just 69.2% of the time.
Important is the fact that much of those missed first tackle issues came in Week 1 against Gibbs, who forced 12 missed tackles during the game, a career high for the back.
The Saints will have to continue trending in the right direction, and quickly, as their gauntlet of premier running backs continues in Week 4.
