As the Atlanta Falcons remain impossible to judge thanks to their hot and cold performances week to week, the one constant on the team has been Bijan Robinson. Pegged as a future superstar, he seems to have taken the next big step this season.
Both as a running back and as a pass catcher, he has been exceptional, carrying a heavy burden for the offense. However, as they faced the New England Patriots after a brutal loss against the Miami Dolphins, their superstar running back seemed to be nowhere to be found.
What Happened to Bijan Robinson?
Through the first seven games of the season, Robinson had already compiled 549 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, while catching for 413 receiving yards and two touchdowns through the air as well.
However, a downward spiral that began in Week 7 seems to be continuing for the star playmaker. But the game against New England might be his worst outing yet, as he has 20 yards apiece, both rushing and receiving, in the first half, as the Falcons trail 21-7.
In the second half, the vaunted passing defense for Atlanta came alive and held the Patriots to just three points. Simultaneously, they were able to capitalize on offense to come within one point.
Ultimately, though, it wasn’t enough, as Drake Maye and Co. were able to secure a 24-23 victory. Robinson, who is currently ranked sixth on PFSN’s RB Impact, could not get things going in the second half either.
While his final stat line was solid, he did not contribute directly to the score. Instead, he finished with 46 yards on 12 carries, while adding 50 receiving yards on eight catches, and being targeted 10 times.
Instead, Drake London shone for the Falcons, as he added 118 yards on nine receptions, while scoring all three touchdowns for the team, as he contributed more than half the production that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had on the night.
The loss dropped Atlanta to 3-5 on the season. For a franchise that was hoping to receive a bump when swapping veteran Kirk Cousins with last year’s first-round pick, the record was hardly indicative of an upgrade.