Bijan Robinson is the perfect participant in soccer.
That’s what Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris mentioned about his star operating again Monday night time after a 24-14 win over reigning MVP Josh Allen and the Buffalo Payments.
Whereas Morris could also be considerably biased towards his personal participant, nationwide TV viewers might need hassle arguing with him after what they witnessed Robinson accomplish on this week’s “Monday Night time Soccer.”
The third-year participant tied his profession excessive with 170 dashing yards (essentially the most for a Falcons participant throughout a major time TV recreation) in 19 carries. That included a spectacular 81-yard landing run within the second quarter that was the longest run of his profession as effectively the longest within the NFL this season. It’s additionally tied for the second-longest dashing landing in Falcons historical past.
Robinson now has three performs from scrimmage of fifty yards or extra this season after having just one longer than 30 yards final yr.
“IIt’s only a factor of my recreation the place I wish to get higher at and proceed to get higher at each single day,” Robinson mentioned after the sport. “And you realize, if I can get higher at that and breaking these lengthy runs, it’s solely serving to the group.”
Robinson additionally caught six passes from quarterback Michael Penix Jr. for 68 yards for a complete of 238 yards from scrimmage, essentially the most ever for a Falcons operating again.
“There are some people who find themselves simply born to be a sure athlete,” Falcons receiver Drake London mentioned after the sport. “Like you could have sure people who find themselves born to be basketball gamers, comparable to LeBron [James]. You’ve people who find themselves born to be soccer gamers, like they’ve the proper physique form for it. Now, [Robinson] goes on the market, and it’s like artwork. It’s superb to see.”
Talking of James, the Lakers celebrity additionally took discover of Robinson’s efficiency.
“Bijan so COLD!!!!!!!!!” James posted on X in the course of the recreation.
A primary-round draft decide in 2023 and a Professional Bowl choice final yr, Robinson leads the league with 822 yards from scrimmage this season (484 dashing and 338 receiving), and it’s not even all that shut.
The Falcons are certainly one of solely six groups which have had their bye weeks already, which means Robinson has compiled his complete in 5 video games. The following 11 gamers on the record — beginning with San Francisco 49ers operating again Christian McCaffrey at No. 2 with 780 yards — have all performed in six video games.
If he retains this tempo, Robinson will end the season with 2,797 yards from scrimmage, which might break the present file of two,509 yards set by Tennessee Titans operating again Chris Johnson in 2009. Johnson’s file was set throughout a 16-game season; Robinson is on tempo to have 2,630 yards after his sixteenth recreation of the 17-game season.
So possibly Morris wasn’t being all that biased in his post-game feedback about Robinson in spite of everything.
“He’s the perfect participant in soccer,” Morris advised reporters. “I’ve mentioned it a number of occasions, I can’t say it sufficient. You’ll be able to at all times have your decide, you’ll be able to at all times go on the market and work out who you wish to vote for, however for my part, he’s the perfect participant in soccer.”
