Bijan Robinson fuels Falcons in MNF win against Bills

Atlanta– Michael Penix Jr.Played all required plays and also had plenty of help at running back in his “Monday Night Football” debut bijan robinson and wide receiver drake london on the way to atlanta falcons beating of buffalo bill, 24-14At Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Penix, a second-year quarterback, was 20 of 32 for 250 yards and a touchdown. Robinson rushed for 170 yards, including an 81-yard touchdown run, and another 68 receiving. London had 10 catches for 158 yards and a touchdown. It was the second time Robinson and London each had 150 yards and a touchdown as teammates in their careers. According to ESPN Research, he is the only Falcons teammate to do so more than once since the 1970 merger.

Atlanta’s defense may have been even better than its offense. The Falcons forced the Bills to commit three-and-outs four times, double their highest single-game total of the season, and sacked the quarterback. josh allen Four times.

Here are the most important things to know from Monday night for both teams:

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Drake went out of London limits just before hitting the pylon

Drake London appears to dive for a touchdown, but his foot misses a yard for the Falcons as time expires in the first half.

Is Robinson a leading contender for NFL Offensive Player of the Year? What Robinson has done this start to the season has been remarkable. The third-year running back has more yards from scrimmage over the course of five games than any other player in Falcons history. His 138 rushing yards at halftime were the most by any player in the league after two quarters this season. Robinson came into the game leading the league with 146 yards per game — and then scored 238 on Monday night, the second-highest total in the league this season.

Viewing Trends: The Falcons were without two of their top three wide receivers darnell mooney (Hamstring) and Ray-Ray McCloud III (Healthy scratching). McCloud’s absence was a surprise. This forced the Falcons to rely heavily on two skill players: bijan robinson And drake londonAccording to ESPN Research, they combined for 89% of the team’s yardage in the first half and came up with the highest percentage of their team’s scrimmage yardage (57%) of any duo in the NFL.

Statistics to know: The Falcons’ 335 yards in the first half were their most before halftime since 2009. For the first time in Falcons franchise history, the team had a running back and wide receiver – Robinson and London, respectively – eclipse the 100-yard mark in the first half. –Marc Raimondi

Next game: at San Francisco (8:20 p.m. ET, October 19)

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Bills comes up with a huge blocked field goal

Parker Romo goes to kick a field goal for Atlanta, but the Bills come up with a big block.

The frustration was visible from the quarterback josh allenWho once again dropped his helmet on the ground while sitting on the bench after failing to string together a drive midway through the fourth quarter.

The struggles continued in Monday’s game in Atlanta and the Bills dropped to 4-2 overall with their second consecutive loss. Buffalo somehow managed to stay in a game that seemed very far out of reach, outside of its first offensive drive.

While the defense was weak, Buffalo gave up too many yards and had many issues, including injuries, it was the offense that failed to take advantage of opportunities. In the first half, there were four straight punts, and a touchdown drive to start the second half showed a spark, but it did not last. The Falcons got the ball back at their 47-yard line when the turnover failed on a fake tush push. And even when the Bills blocked a field goal, the offense responded with back-to-back three-and-outs.

Allen finished the game 15-for-26 (57.7%) with 180 receiving yards, two passing touchdowns, two interceptions and four sacks. He also rushed for 42 yards on six carries. The unit was devoid of a tight end. Dalton KincaidJoe missed, and wide receiver joshua palmer (ankle) for most of the game. Running back coordinator Joe Brady James Cook III Didn’t utilize him at all on third downs late and despite a 17-carry, 87-yard day.

After scoring over 30 points in the first four games to start the season, the Bills’ offense still has work to do.

Viewing Trends: Injuries. The Bills came into this game with two starters – linebacker matt milano (pectoral) and tight end Dalton Kincaid (Italics)–Out due to injuries. Before the game, defensive tackle daquan jones He suffered a calf injury during warm-ups and was ruled out. wide receiver joshua palmer Left the game in the first half (ankle), linebacker Terrell Bernard Did not play in the second half due to ankle injury and safety cole bishop Missed time in the second half due to cramps, but returned in the fourth quarter. The Bills have a bye this coming week, and it couldn’t come at a better time for some much-needed rest.

Statistics to know: The Falcons’ 335 yards in the first half were the most given up by the Bills before halftime since 2001 (Week 2, at indianapolis coltsMissed tackles were a major theme for the Bills’ defense, especially in the first half, but the unit adjusted well in the second half. The Falcons were held to 8 net yards in the third quarter and 109 net yards in the fourth. — Alaina Getzenberg

Next game: at Carolina (1 p.m. ET, Oct. 26)