Bijan Robinson is coming to the Superdome on the best run of his season, and the New Orleans Saints have struggled against the run all year. The Atlanta Falcons running back was just named NFC Offensive Player of the Week, and he is one piece of an offense that looked completely different in Week 3.
Atlanta is 1-2 under new head coach Kevin Stefanski, same as New Orleans, but two of those games came with Cooper Rush at quarterback. Kickoff Monday is 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN, on the night the Saints mark 20 years since the Superdome’s reopening.
Bijan Robinson is the NFC’s offensive player of the week
Robinson ran 29 times for 194 yards and two touchdowns in the 35-14 win at Green Bay. His 84.1 overall grade ranks third among running backs, according to PFF, and he is averaging 4.2 yards after contact per attempt with 11 missed tackles forced.
The Saints are allowing 128.7 rushing yards per game, 27th in the league. Linebackers Kaden Elliss and Pete Werner both missed practice Thursday and Friday.
Michael Penix Jr. changed the Falcons’ offense
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Penix made his first start since tearing his ACL last November and went 18 of 25 for 256 yards with a touchdown pass and an interception. A week earlier, with Rush at quarterback, Atlanta scored three points in a 34-3 loss to Carolina. The Falcons led comfortably enough against the Packers that Penix threw only five second-half passes.
Drake London is coming off a career night
London caught nine passes for 194 yards at Green Bay, including a 68-yarder, and made PFF’s Team of the Week. It followed a quiet first two weeks with Rush. With Robinson pulling defenders toward the line of scrimmage, New Orleans can’t commit extra help to both.
Gervon Dexter Sr. and the Falcons’ pass rush just got paid
Atlanta gave the defensive tackle a four-year, $78 million extension this week, a month after trading for him. Dexter has 15 pressures in three games, and the Falcons rank in the top three in pressure rate at 41.6% while blitzing less than 20% of the time.
That is a concern for Tyler Shough, who has fumbled five times in three games. Atlanta’s defense ranks eighth in EPA per play, according to Sumer Sports.
The Falcons’ secondary is without A.J. Terrell Jr.
Atlanta’s top cornerback is on injured reserve with a groin injury and will miss at least four games. Veterans C.J. Henderson and Mike Hughes take on more work, with rookie Avieon Terrell as another outside option.
Chris Olave has 27 catches for 375 yards, and no other Saints receiver has more than 15 catches. If New Orleans protects the ball, this is where its offense can answer.
