Falcons Rout Saints 45-24 on Monday Night, Powered by Bijan Robinson
The Atlanta Falcons dominated the New Orleans Saints 45-24 on Monday Night Football, led by running back Bijan Robinson, who scored two touchdowns and topped 100 rushing yards before halftime.
Falcons dominate in the Superdome
On Monday night, the Atlanta Falcons (now 2-2) defeated the New Orleans Saints (1-3) 45-24, according to an Associated Press report carried by theScore. Atlanta never trailed and controlled the line of scrimmage throughout, outrushing the Saints 207 yards to 50.
Both Robinsons shine on the ground
Star running back Bijan Robinson finished the game with 145 rushing yards and two touchdowns, per theScore. Heavy.com reported that by halftime alone, Bijan already had 12 carries for 103 yards and two touchdowns, including a 59-yard score on his very first carry of the game. Backup running back Brian Robinson Jr. scored three short touchdowns over the course of the game; according to Heavy.com, in the first half alone he had nine carries for 35 yards, one touchdown, and a five-yard catch.
Why Brian Robinson took over for Bijan
Heavy.com described a moment late in the second quarter when ESPN's broadcast showed Bijan Robinson appearing ready to enter the game, only for him to high-five Brian Robinson and stay on the sideline instead. The situation arose after a Saints punt left the Falcons at their own 8-yard line while already leading 24-7; rather than risk injury to their star back, the team let Brian carry the ball instead. The Saints used a timeout, but after a short completion from quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to Drake London secured a first down, both teams let the clock run out to halftime.
Rest of the game and other storylines
Penix, back in the lineup, completed 15 of 20 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown, including a 31-yard scoring throw to Jahan Dotson in the fourth quarter. Saints running back Alvin Kamara scored his first two touchdowns of the season, cutting the deficit to 31-17 early in the fourth quarter. Saints quarterback Tyler Shough threw for 286 yards and a late touchdown to Devaughn Vele.
The game also marked the 20th anniversary of the Superdome's reopening after Hurricane Katrina, with a pregame ceremony featuring 2006 Saints players, Steve Gleason, singer Irma Thomas, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
The Falcons will host Baltimore next Sunday night, while the Saints will host Minnesota on Sunday.
