How the Buffalo Bills Will Contain Falcons RB Bijan Robinson

All eyes will be on the Buffalo Bills’ defense as they take on the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football this week. So far this season, the Bills’ defense has struggled to stop their opponents’ run game, and they have not lived up to their reputation of being great at forcing turnovers. This week, the Falcons’ offense will feature elite running back Bijan Robinson, and if Buffalo wants to stop Robinson from having an explosive game, they must make some significant defensive adjustments.

Philosophically, Bills’ defensive coordinator Bobby Babich is committed to staying in a two-high safety look, which allows Buffalo to be strong against explosive pass plays, but they are also reliant on their defensive front seven.  So far this season, the Bills’ defensive front seven has not played its best football, and that has resulted in Buffalo opponents rushing for 5.4 yards/carry.  Those struggles could spell doom for the Bills against the Falcons, given Atlanta’s commitment to running their offense through running back Bijan Robinson.

The Falcons’ offensive game plan starts with a commitment to getting the ball to Robinson. Robinson is an outstanding zone runner. He threatens the edge of opposing defenses with his speed, then makes a vertical cut to pick up hard yards when a gap opens. In addition to running outside zone, the Falcons often line Robinson up as a receiver. He is also effective catching passes out of the backfield.

There are a few specific adjustments the Bills will need to make to neutralize Robinson and the Falcons’ offense.

During the Bills’ first two games of the 2025 season, the middle of the Bills’ defense has suffered from several injuries to their defensive tackles and linebackers.  Those injuries started before the season, with DeWayne Carter tearing his Achilles tendon, and then defensive tackle Ed Oliver injuring his ankle during practice in Week 2.  The Bills’ linebackers have been missing linebacker Matt Milano due to a pectoral injury, and two weeks later, Milano’s replacement, Dorian Williams, also got injured.  As Buffalo continues to look for the next man up at linebacker, they have needed to add more depth, including signing inside linebacker Baylon Spector to their practice roster earlier this week.

When stopping a run offense based on establishing the outside zone, it is crucial for the defensive line to build a moving wall that mirrors the zone blocks, while linebackers play downhill to fill in the gaps that form in the wall.  Robinson is an elite zone runner due to his ability to push the ball to the edge of the defense, but then put a foot in the ground and pick up yards when the opposing linebackers begin to overpursue.  Buffalo has been affected by their defensive secondary and linebackers, who are finding themselves losing leverage on offensive players in space.  This week, it is crucial for the Bills’ linebacker to mirror Robinson and then fill hard when Robinson makes his vertical cut.

In addition to being a great zone back, Bijan Robinson is also an excellent receiver out of the backfield.  When the Falcons set up swing passes or checkdown plays for Robinson, the Bills’ linebackers need to account for Robinson and run to the ball in space.  However, there are times when the Falcons line up Robinson at a receiver position so that they can dictate which defender will be defending Robinson.  Buffalo needs to plan on matching up Robinson with slot corner Taron Johnson when Atlanta uses the running back as a wide receiver.  Johnson has the speed to cover Robinson, and having Johnson account for Robinson will allow the Bills’ linebackers to have time to make their run read before getting to Robinson after the Falcons running back catches the ball in space.

The biggest aspect of the Bills’ defensive game plan is to get their defenders to the point of attack.  If Buffalo can get players to Robinson, they have a chance to put hits on the young running back and force turnovers.  So far this season, the Bills’ defense has only produced five takeaways, a stark contrast to its performance last season when it was one of the top teams in the NFL.  If Buffalo can force Robinson to turn the ball over, or if they can attack Robinson only on early downs, they will put more pressure on Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and the Falcons’ passing game.