When the Buccaneers start game-planning for Atlanta, the first name on the board is Bijan Robinson.
That much was clear from Bucs outside linebackers coach and run game coordinator Larry Foote, who didn’t flinch when describing the Falcons running back’s style. To Foote, Robinson brings the kind of movement, burst and stop-start explosiveness that instantly brings another Hall of Fame runner to mind.
“I was sharing with the guys, this is their generation of Barry Sanders, and he’s dynamic,” Foote said. “How you stop him: all 11 guys have to be committed to getting him on the ground.
He can take it anywhere. I showed some highlights.
I wasn’t trying to scare them; I told them I’m not scared of him, but you better know where he’s at.”
Robinson’s numbers back up the warning. He leads the NFL in rushing with 704 yards and four touchdowns in seven games, and he’s added 25 catches for 203 yards and another score.
Against Tampa Bay, he has already shown how quickly one touch can turn into a problem. In December 2025, he totaled 175 yards from scrimmage against the Bucs, including 93 on the ground and 82 through the air, along with a touchdown.
And on the third play of the season opener last year, he turned a pass in the flat into a 50-yard touchdown.
“Well, it starts with No. 7,” Foote said of Robinson.
“I have a ton of respect for that guy. He’s dynamic.”
The Bucs will likely lean on rookie linebacker Josiah Trotter to help track Robinson down early and often, even if Sunday will mostly be a tape-based assignment for him. Trotter said the challenge starts with being disciplined against Robinson’s ability to bounce outside or cut behind the defense.
“He can get to the backside quicker than anybody,” Trotter said. “You have to stay alive, if you think you’re backside and you think you’re doing your job, you better be ready for him.
He can take it anywhere. If he gets a crease, it’s hard to get that guy on the ground, it’s hard to even touch him.”
Trotter also pointed to what makes Robinson so dangerous for Atlanta as an every-down weapon.
“It’s his versatility,” Trotter said. “Just to be a three-down back and be on the field on all downs and make explosive plays. I think that’s his biggest thing is creating explosive plays for his offense and being able to flip the field position. ...“
“A great defense runs to the ball. So especially when you have a guy like that, you’ve got to run to the ball and limit those (yards after catch).”
The Bucs have reasons to believe they can answer the challenge. Their run defense has been strong all season, anchored up front by Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey and A’Shawn Robinson. Tampa Bay enters the matchup with the league’s second-ranked rushing defense, giving up 77.3 yards per game.
Todd Bowles knows exactly what kind of stress Robinson can place on a defense when he gets space.
“He’s tough. I mean, he can stop and start, he’s strong, he’s quick, he’s got great vision, he’s got hands,” Bowles said.
“Anytime he’s in open space, it’s going to be a problem. We’ve got to get everybody to the ball, and we’ve really got to swarm to the football.
One guy usually doesn’t do it.”
Atlanta has other pieces the Bucs can’t ignore, either. Tight end Kyle Pitts has been a problem for Tampa Bay recently, putting up 18 catches for 225 yards and three touchdowns across two games against the Bucs last year. Wide receiver Drake London remains the Falcons’ top target, and in seven meetings against Tampa Bay, he has 624 yards and one touchdown.
There’s also no shortage of familiarity on the Tampa Bay side. Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson spent time as Atlanta’s offensive coordinator, so he knows the Falcons’ system from the inside. Still, he expects a game with some new wrinkles on both sides, especially with rain in the forecast for Sunday.
“There’s some familiarity for sure, but there’s also some new stuff, and then they’re probably looking at us saying, ‘Man, it’s different than the stuff we were practicing against,’” Zac Robinson said. “To some degree.
So, it’ll be a great back-and-forth. I’m looking forward to seeing those guys, and it’ll be a great game.
These games are always close - these divisional games - so it’ll be a great challenge, and I’m looking forward to it.”
The Bucs and Falcons meet Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. Fox will carry the game, with radio coverage on 97.9-FM.
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