Even Through Their Struggles, Bijan Robinson Gives The Falcons Reason For Hope
The Atlanta Falcons haven’t exactly had the best start to the 2026 season.
They’ve been outscored 54-16 through a combined two games, and the performance of stand-in quarterback Cooper Rush was unpleasant to say the least.
Despite this, Falcons running back Bijan Robinson has still been performing at the level that they expect him to, and with the impending return of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to the lineup for Thursday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers, things could be looking up for the Falcons sooner rather than later.
The Falcons Running Back Gives the Team a Reason to Believe
The team struggles haven’t exactly seeped into the performance of the dynamic Falcons running back.
This is because of that very word, dynamic.
Robinson continues to get it done not only as a runner but in the passing game as well. Through two games, he has 37 rushing attempts for 155 yards, but he also has 11 receptions for 99 yards and the Falcons’ only touchdown of the campaign so far (though that will change with Penix back).
Those 99 yards lead the NFL in receiving yards by a running back through two weeks.
He said in an interview following week one that the receiving side of things has been a point of emphasis since entering the NFL.
“They wanted to exploit it more here when I got to the NFL,” he said. “That’s what I’ve been doing, man. It’s something that I appreciate, because you become a threat all over the field and become a guy that you have to watch for no matter where I line up and have an impact in that way. I want to continue to keep helping my team through that and just continue to get better.”
It didn’t show as much with Rush at quarterback, but as Penix returns as the starting quarterback and Tua Tagovailoa returns as the backup for the Falcons, Robinson’s ability to be a receiver will open up more opportunities for Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Jahan Dotson, and the other pass catchers on this Falcons team.
Having to account for the Falcons’ running back in the passing game can only help their offense become more successful throughout the season.
Sep 20, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) rushes during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
As a runner, things have been a bit slower for Robinson to begin the season, but that can be heavily attributed to the lack of quarterback play and teams stacking the box against him. In 2025, he averaged 5.1 yards per carry, while in 2026, that number has been just 4.2 so far.
Expect that figure to increase as the Falcons get their receivers more involved and the box isn’t as stacked against the Falcons’ running back.
The 0-2 Falcons will try to get a win on the board on Thursday night when they visit a Packers team that hasn’t exactly looked sharp so far in 2026, with a 1-1 record after a comeback win against the Jets on Sunday.
Robinson amassed 172 total yards on 23 touches last time he played the Packers and will look to deliver an encore on Thursday night.
The Falcons might be 0-2 with the worst point differential in football, but that can essentially be thrown out the window as Penix returns to play and Robinson continues to lead the way in Atlanta.
Sep 13, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers safety Jaquan Brisker (3) tackles Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
The Last Word
The Falcons’ running back is the main reason for hope in Atlanta, but to quickly break down two other reasons why Falcons fans should have hope for their team throughout the rest of 2026, here are two statistics.
So far this season, the Falcons have yet to run a play in the red zone through two games. They are only the 4th team since 1978 to do that.
But, in positive news, their defense is generating the seventh-best pressure rate in the NFL through two games at 41.5%, and their interior defensive line has a league-high 23 pressures this season so far.
Combining a talented defense with better quarterback play and redzone touches for Robinson, London, and the Falcons’ other playmakers should make this a much better football team throughout the rest of 2026.
Nobody is saying the Falcons will be amazing, but there’s a reason why head coach Kevin Stefanski is a two-time Coach of the Year award winner, and with an offense as talented as this one, with Penix returning alongside Robinson, London, and Pitts, there’s no reason why the Falcons can’t turn this season around.
For Falcons fans, they’re hoping that the turnaround begins Thursday night, and if it does, Robinson is bound to be right at the center of things.
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