Bijan Robinson Runs Into Falcons History in Upset Win Over Rams
The Falcons may not be heading to the playoffs, but Bijan Robinson made sure Monday night’s game had all the energy of a postseason showdown. In a 27-24 win over the Los Angeles Rams, the rookie running back didn’t just lead Atlanta to a dramatic upset - he stamped his name into the franchise record books with a performance Falcons fans won’t forget anytime soon.
Robinson torched the Rams for 195 rushing yards on just 22 carries and added 34 more through the air on five receptions. He opened the scoring with a 4-yard touchdown catch from Kirk Cousins and later delivered the knockout blow of the first half - a jaw-dropping 93-yard touchdown run that put Atlanta up 21-0 with under two minutes to go before halftime.
That explosive night pushed Robinson’s season total to 2,255 yards from scrimmage, breaking a franchise record that had stood for over four decades. The previous mark of 2,176 was held by William Andrews, a Falcons legend who set the bar back in 1983.
That season, Andrews piled up 1,567 rushing yards and 609 receiving yards in what was then the third-best scrimmage total in NFL history. It now ranks 30th, but it still stands as one of the great all-purpose seasons in league history.
Andrews’ career was as brilliant as it was brief. After four straight Pro Bowl seasons, his trajectory was cut short by a devastating knee injury in 1984. He never fully returned to form, finishing with just 249 more yards in the NFL after the injury.
But on Monday night, it was Robinson who carried the torch - and carried the Falcons - with the kind of performance that echoed Andrews’ prime. The rookie’s blend of speed, vision, and patience was on full display, especially on that 93-yard dash, where he found a crease, hit the gas, and never looked back.
Of course, the Rams didn’t go quietly. Down 21-0, Los Angeles mounted a second-half comeback that tied the game at 24 with under three minutes to play. But with 21 seconds left, Zane Gonzalez drilled a 51-yard field goal to seal the win for Atlanta and cap a wild night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Rams, already locked into the NFC playoffs as a wild-card team at 11-5, were playing more for seeding than survival. The Falcons, now 7-9, are officially out of the postseason picture - but they’re still playing spoiler in the NFC South.
Here’s where things get interesting: The Carolina Panthers (8-8) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) face off this Saturday with the division title on the line. If Tampa wins, and Atlanta beats New Orleans on Sunday, all three teams would finish 8-9. In that scenario, Carolina would still claim the division crown thanks to the best head-to-head record.
So, while Atlanta’s playoff hopes are gone, their final game could still shape the NFC bracket.
Alabama Ties on the Field
Several players with Alabama roots saw action in Monday’s game:
- Falcons linebacker Eugene Asante (Auburn) and safety DeMarcco Hellams (Alabama) were both unavailable - Asante is on the practice squad, and Hellams is on injured reserve.
- Cornerback Cobee Bryant (Hillcrest-Evergreen) registered one tackle for Atlanta.
- Ronnie Harrison (Alabama) started at inside linebacker, notching one tackle on defense and another on special teams.
- Wide receiver Darnell Mooney (Gadsden City) caught two passes for 35 yards.
On the Rams’ side:
- Running back Jarquez Hunter (Auburn) was inactive.
- Cornerback Roger McCreary (Williamson, Auburn) returned from a four-game IR stint and made one tackle.
He had been out since suffering a hip injury in a November win over Tampa Bay.
- Cornerback Darious Williams (UAB) was also inactive for Los Angeles.
What’s Next
The Rams wrap up their regular season on the road against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. For the Falcons, it’s one last divisional clash - they’ll host the Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in a game that, while not meaningful for their own playoff hopes, could still have ripple effects across the NFC South.
But no matter what happens next week, Monday night belonged to Bijan Robinson. In a season of ups and downs for Atlanta, the rookie gave fans a glimpse of what the future could look like - and it looks electric.