The Atlanta Falcons decimated the Green Bay Packers in Lambeau Field and upset the San Francisco 49ers in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, demonstrating the capacity to compete at a playoff-caliber level on a given night. They are still not a consistently good football team, though, hence their 3-5 record. Kevin Stefanski's team is about to enter a strenuous stretch that features games against the Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions (Week 11 bye sandwiched in between). If Atlanta is going to be competitive by Christmas, Bijan Robinson will need to perform like the NFL's best running back.
Many people believe he currently carries that title, but the player himself is not convinced. “I don't feel like I am playing like that right now,” Robinson said, per reporter Tori McElhaney.
While the All-Pro certainly believes he has what it takes to reclaim top status, he does not think his recent play warrants such a label at this time. Robinson rushed for 139 yards in his last two games combined, averaging 3.2 yards per carry versus the 49ers and 4.0 yards per attempt in Sunday's 16-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He did not score in either week.
Even so, the two-time Pro Bowler unquestionably remains in the discussion for best back in the league. He is closing in on 1,000 scrimmage yards and is gaining an elite 5.2 yards per run. Jahmyr Gibbs, Kenneth Walker III and James Cook could all surpass him in rushing yards once they play the same amount of games, but it should not be long before Bijan Robinson amazes everyone again with his lethal combination of power and elusiveness.
No. 7 will try to channel his inner beast versus the Bengals in Madrid, as the Falcons do their best to keep pace in an uninspiring NFC South.