The New Orleans Saints continue their gauntlet of running back challenges to open the season with Atlanta Falcons back Bijan Robinson.
Keeping as much of a lid on the explosive playmaker may be the most important key for the Saints’ defense. However, they won’t have to render Robinson completely ineffective in order to reap the benefits.
The Falcons have a clear line of distinction when Robinson is available. While the team is 6-7 when he rushes for over 100 yards in his career, they are 7-3 when he gains 150-plus yards from scrimmage. Meaning that his impact is most felt by his club when he’s not only running the ball well, but producing in the passing game also.
Conversely, when Robinson is held to less than 100 yards from scrimmage, the Falcons are 7-16.
The goal for the New Orleans defense is clear: limit Robinson. But the defense can do so to a certain extent. The Saints don’t have to hold the running back to an uncharacteristic day (which they have done before), instead, the club just has to keep him from completely taking over the game.
In the Falcons’ Week 3 dismantling of the Green Bay Packers, Robinson gained 213 scrimmage yards and found the end zone twice. If he has a similar performance to that against New Orleans, it’s going to be a challenge for the team to pull away.
However, the last time New Orleans faced the All-Pro back, they held him to a season-low 43 total yards in Atlanta.
Since facing Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs in the opening week of the season, New Orleans has done well against elite backs and Robinson will be their next test. The Falcons’ offense, which only just saw the return of quarterback Michel Penix Jr., goes the way of the running back and the Saints will have to continue their recent success in order to take home a win in an emotionally-charged environment on Monday Night Football.
