Robinson racks up historic numbers in 24-14 win over Buffalo
Oct 13, 2025
What the Falcons win against the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football means to this team can’t be understated.
Not just to go up 3-2 early in the season, which is always nice. Not just to go above .500 for the first time this year. (They are sitting pretty at .600). Not even to remind folks outside of Georgia how special Bijan Robinson is, which folks probably already know.
Wins like this go a long way to changing the stubborn “loser” narrative around this team. The last few losing seasons didn’t help matters, but you gotta start somewhere. And MNF, against the playoff shoo-in Buffalo Bills, is a great place to start.
The national audience hasn’t seen THESE Falcons on MNF in some time. One that was able to outwoof a Super Bowl-contending team, and can put its best on the field and make awesomeness happen. In front of a nationwide audience and non-local critics expecting yet another faceplant from a team associated with annoying 28-3 memes, to boot.
“This team is really good,” said victorious Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at the post-game press conference. “This team is really legit.”
The first half was pure magic on the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Robinson made things happen on the field many times since he’s worn a Falcons jersey, but when he ran for 81 yards to the endzone in the first quarter, he erased any residual doubt he would be a legend in Falcons Nation and the NFL as a whole.
This will be the third time I’ve named Robinson Baller of the Game this season, but he deserves it. Again.
Everyone, including NBA legend LeBron James acknowledged Robinson’s brilliance. And why not? His numbers as of tonight’s game speak for themselves…
-He has a career high of 238 total yards.
-He’s the second NFL all-time player to have 170+ rush yards and 60+ receiving yards in a prime-time game. Only ex-Giant Tiki Barber (203 rush yards, 60 receiving yards) has more.
-He’s also the second player to reach 450 rushing yards and 300 receiving yards in the first five games of a season in NFL history.
He wasn’t the only Falcon trying to change the national narrative about the Dirty Birds on football’s most coveted night. Drake London got 158 receiving yards off 10 carries. He got one TD. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was good enough to go 20 of 32 for 250 passing yards. He got a single TD. He and the rest of the Falcons managed to send Bills QB Josh Allen, who many expected to out dazzle the Falcons with precision, to the Bills bench in frustration.
Oh, and the Falcons’ defense held its own, holding the Bills to 14 points and stopping the Bills’ vaunted offense when they threatened to seize the lead from the Falcons. Any remaining doubts this team’s defense and pass-rush are the real deal?
According to NextGenStats (pointed out by ESPN’s Mina Kimes) the Falcons inflicted a 44% pressure rate on Allen, and the Falcons were the only team to pressure him more than 30% of the time. The same Allen who many expect could be holding a ticket to the Super Bowl by the end of this season.
The game wasn’t perfect. There were still penalty issues that repeatedly threatened to stymy the team’s drive to 3-2. Penix Jr. made a couple of bad throws that could have been disastrous. And kicker Parker Romo’s blocked field goal in the first half made Falcons fans nervous.
And the concern will now turn to Jake Matthews, who had to leave the game in the third quarter because of an ankle injury. Every starting Falcon will be crucial as they face the San Francisco 49ers on another upcoming Sunday Night Football nationwide affair.
But this is another big win that the Falcons and their fans can savor. It happened at home, in front of a national prime time audience, and it helped people take a new look at the Atlanta Falcons. Not those Atlanta Falcons from four years ago, or even last season.
These guys are different. These guys are special.
Notes:
Former NFL coach Jon Gruden called the Falcons defense “THE BLANK SQUAD” and said they were “freakin’ BAD ASS!!!” That was before tonight’s game. He again was impressed with the “squad” tonight.
Penix Jr. told Falcons reporter Taylor Vismor after the game London and Robinson both “have the want to…they are professionals, they love what they do, and they come ready to work and it shows on gameday.”
Newly retired Braves manager Brian Snitker came to see the Falcons tonight. Former Falcons QB Steve Bartkowski was also on hand tonight.
Robinson said after the game LeBron James is his favorite athlete and gives him a lot of advice. James gave Robinson a shout-out during the game on X.
According to 929 The Game’s Mike Conti, the Falcons are now #1 in the NFL in total defense, and #2 in the NFL in total offense. They also lead in rush offense.
Tyler Allgeier is another Falcon who’s performance deserves recognition. 32 yards on 10 carries. He hauled in one touchdown tonight.
