FOXBOROUGH - Through eight games, the Patriots defense has made life miserable for running backs.
They have not allowed any opposing player to rush for 50 yards or more. They are the only team in the NFL to have such a streak.
It also marks the first time in franchise history they’ve done so through the first eight games.
High profile backs James Cook (Buffalo), Alvin Kamara (New Orleans) and Quinshon Judkins (Cleveland) are among the victims.
Next up?
Atlanta’s Bijon Robinson.
The Falcons all-everything back can beat you both running and catching the football. He’s averaging 5.2 yards per carry, and has nearly 1,000 yards with rushing (549) and receiving yards (413) combine.
“He’s special. He makes explosive plays look like they’re easy,” Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss said Thursday. “You are on high alert with someone like him. He’s a generational talent. There are very few like him in the league.”
Robinson, who was taken 8th overall by the Falcons in the 2023 draft out of Texas, was a Pro Bowl selection in 2024.
“When you have running backs like him, it’s about the swarm of the defense, everybody running to the ball,” Elliss said. “Obviously, we want the first guy to make the tackle. If the first guy misses, there’s going to be 10 other guys right there to make the play. That’s the mentality we try to have every week, but especially this week, it’s going to be most important.”
Or, see the impressive streak come to an end Sunday against the Falcons.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.