ATLANTA — Michael Penix Jr. made all of the performs crucial in his “Monday Night time Soccer” debut and had loads of assist from operating again Bijan Robinson and extensive receiver Drake London en path to the Atlanta Falcons beating the Buffalo Payments 24-14 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Penix, the second-year quarterback, was 20-of-32 for 250 yards passing and a landing. Robinson had 170 yards speeding, together with an 81-yard landing run, and one other 68 receiving. London had 10 catches for 158 yards and a landing. It was the second time Robinson and London every had 150 yards and a landing as teammates of their careers. They’re the one Falcons teammates to do it greater than as soon as because the 1970 merger, per ESPN Analysis.
Atlanta’s protection may need been even higher than its offense. The Falcons compelled the Payments into 4 three-and-outs, which was double Buffalo’s highest single-game whole of the season coming in, and sacked quarterback Josh Allen 4 occasions.
Listed below are a very powerful issues to know from Monday evening for each groups:
Is Robinson the main contender for NFL Offensive Participant of the 12 months? What Robinson has accomplished early this season is exceptional. The third-year operating again has extra yards from scrimmage by means of 5 video games than some other participant in Falcons historical past. His 138 speeding yards on the half had been essentially the most by any participant within the league after two quarters this season. Robinson got here into the sport main the league with 146 yards from scrimmage per recreation — after which put up 238 on Monday evening, the second-highest whole within the league this season. Robinson is the second participant to succeed in 450 speeding yards and 300 receiving yards by means of his first 5 video games of a season in NFL historical past, becoming a member of Thurman Thomas in 1991, in line with ESPN Analysis.
Development to observe: The Falcons had been with out two of their prime three extensive receivers in Darnell Mooney (hamstring) and Ray-Ray McCloud III (wholesome scratch). McCloud’s absence was a shock. It compelled the Falcons to rely closely on two talent gamers: Bijan Robinson and Drake London, who mixed for 89% of the group’s yardage within the first half and got here in with the best proportion of their group’s scrimmage yardage (57%) out of any duo within the NFL, in line with ESPN Analysis.
Stat to know: The Falcons’ 335 yards within the first half had been their most earlier than halftime since 2009. For the primary time in Falcons franchise historical past, the group had a operating again and extensive receiver — Robinson and London, respectively — eclipse the 100-yard mark within the first half. — Marc Raimondi
Subsequent recreation: at San Francisco (8:20 p.m. ET, Oct. 19)
The frustration was seen from quarterback Josh Allen, who pushed his helmet to the bottom as he sat on the bench as soon as once more after failing to string collectively a drive in the midst of the fourth quarter.
The struggles persevered in Monday’s recreation at Atlanta because the Payments (4-2) suffered their second straight loss. Although the protection was sloppy and gave up too many yards, the offense didn’t benefit from alternatives. Within the first half, the Payments punted on 4 straight drives, and although they scored a landing on their first drive of the second half, the spark didn’t linger. They turned the ball over on downs, giving the Falcons the ball again at their 47-yard line. And even when the Payments blocked a area purpose try, the offense responded with back-to-back three-and-outs.
Allen completed the sport 15-for-26 (57.7%) with 180 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 2 interceptions and 4 sacks. He additionally rushed for 42 yards on six carries. Tight finish Dalton Kincaid (indirect) was inactive, and extensive receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle) was injured within the first half and didn’t return. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady went away from operating again James Cook dinner III late within the recreation and didn’t use him on third downs regardless of Cook dinner speeding for 87 yards on 17 carries.
After beginning the season scoring 30-plus factors within the first 4 video games, the Payments’ offense has work to do.
Development to observe: Accidents. The Payments got here into this recreation with two starters — linebacker Matt Milano (pectoral) and tight finish Dalton Kincaid (indirect) — out due to accidents. Earlier than the sport, defensive deal with DaQuan Jones suffered a calf damage in warmups and was dominated out. Huge receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle) left the sport within the first half, linebacker Terrel Bernard didn’t play within the second half due to an ankle damage, and security Cole Bishop missed time within the second half due to cramping, however returned within the fourth quarter. The Payments have a bye this coming week, and it couldn’t come at a greater time for much-needed relaxation.
Stat to know: The Falcons’ 335 first-half yards had been essentially the most that the Payments have allowed earlier than halftime since 2001 (Week 2, at Indianapolis Colts). Missed tackles had been a serious theme for the Payments’ protection, particularly within the first half, however the unit adjusted properly within the second half. The Falcons had been held to eight web yards within the third quarter and 109 web yards within the fourth. — Alaina Getzenberg
Subsequent recreation: at Carolina (1 p.m. ET, Oct. 26)