Thanks to a three-game losing streak, the 2025 NFL season was quickly starting to slip away from the Atlanta Falcons. Giving Michael Penix Jr. the starting nod this year, they may have been hoping that a strong cast of players around him could take them over the top.
But so far, that hadn’t come to pass. With very few chances to turn things around, the game against the Indianapolis Colts had a lot riding on it from Atlanta’s perspective. While they remained competitive throughout the night, a decision late in the fourth quarter regarding superstar running back Bijan Robinson, made by head coach Raheem Morris, did not go over well with the Falcons’ fan base.
Fans Lose It Over Misuse of Bijan Robinson
Overall, Robinson was a major part of the game plan for Atlanta. Carrying the ball 17 times, he added 84 rushing yards on the night. However, on the most important drive of the game, he was nowhere to be seen.
After the Colts took a 22-17 lead in the fourth quarter thanks to an 83-yard breakout run from Jonathan Taylor for his second touchdown of the game, Atlanta had to answer back. But, for the entire drive, they chose to keep Tyler Allgeier on the field.
Immediately, fans were aghast at the decision. Some were short about their complaint, writing, “Tyler Allgeier getting carries on the final drive of a football game over Bijan Robinson is literal coaching malpractice.”
“Raheem Morris, you’re down 5 with 2 minutes to go. Can you put Bijan Robinson on the field?”
Raheem Morris:
— Underdog (@Underdog) November 9, 2025
Others turned more dramatic to explain their frustration at the situation, claiming, “Zac Robinson should be arrested for continuing to take Bijan Robinson off the field in big moments. LET THE BIG DAWG EAT.”
Zac Robinson should be arrested for continuing to take Bijan Robinson off the field in big moments
LET THE BIG DAWG EAT
— Sports Verdicts (@SportsVerdicts) November 9, 2025
However, some went into extreme detail about what was wrong with the situation. “#Falcons you should be ashamed how you utilize bijan robinson. It’s absolutely pathetic. Your entire offensive coaching staff should be fired. You have a weapon that doesn’t even touch the ball 20 times a game. Your organization is pathetic.”
#Falcons you should be ashamed how you utilize bijan robinson. Its absolutely pathetic. Your entire offensive coaching staff should be fired. You have a weapon that doesnt even touch the ball 20 times a game. Your organization js pathetic
— ZZ11 (@Zim11R) November 9, 2025
The clear source of the fans’ vitriol, though, remained the coaching staff, as another fan explained in detail. “Why do the falcons not give bijan the ball more? I don’t understand. Every time he touches it it’s at least 5 yards. We hand it to him once and send him to the sidelines. Raheem Morris and Zac Robinson had to go. They are horrible hires.”
On the ensuing drive, though, Morris’ decision wasn’t completely wrong. Stitching together a nine-play, 71-yard drive into the end zone, he was able to give the Falcons the lead once again with little more than two minutes remaining on the clock.
I hate the Tyler allgier gimmick dude just get Bijan on the field
— 1️⃣ (@LeekNabers) November 9, 2025
Of the 71 yards, Allgeier was responsible for 33 rushing yards, including the final one-yard push to get the score. However, fans weren’t willing to accept the choice. “I hate the Tyler allgier gimmick dude just get Bijan on the field.”
Others believe not using him was outright malpractice from the coaching staff, as one simply explained, “Drafting Bijan in the top 10 and having him on the sidelines is wild.”
Drafting Bijan in the top 10 and having him on the sidelines is wild
— Lex (@_Lexluger) November 9, 2025
The problem for the fan base, regardless of the outcome, was hard to ignore. After a ridiculous start to the season, Robinson had cooled down immensely in the weeks since. Some of it was undeniably his fault.
But the usage from the coaching staff did leave a lot to be desired when it came to a player who was a potential building block of the franchise.
