The Atlanta Falcons took the field in New Orleans against the Saints just days after Michael Penix Jr.'s big personal news with their sights set on a key early season win. Running back Bijan Robinson has channeled his inner Kobe Bryant recently and is becoming a bona fide superstar, as evidenced by his first quarter run in the Big Easy.
Atlanta needed only three plays to score as Robinson made a long-distance house call in the first quarter.
Robison's score was followed up by an extra point to give Atlanta a 7-0 lead over the Saints, as the former Texas Longhorns star had three carries for 65 yards. Saints offensive leaders Tyler Shough and Alvin Kamara attempted to lead their team back, as the game wound down toward the end of the first quarter.
Shough and wide receiver Chris Olave were expected to lead the way for the Saints with Shough getting a 300-yard-plus game prediction against coach Kevin Stefanski's Falcons secondary. The Falcons' defense was expected to counter with a hungry group led by recent contract signee Gervon Dexter Jr.
Both teams came into the game with 1-2 records, but saw light at the end of the tunnel for a division title amid struggles by Todd Bowles' Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Penix Jr. led Atlanta to a huge win against the Green Bay Packers in Week 3, which included 256 passing yards and 194 rushing yards from Robinson. Drake London's 194-yard receiving game also helped lead the Falcons against the Packers, showing off the growing versatility of Stefanski's offense.