The first drive of the 2025 NFL season unfortunately was not about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield or Mike Evans but the Atlanta Falcons’ rising star, Bijan Robinson.
Watch the video below.
SCORE: 7-0 Falcons
TIME: 13:14 1Q
DOWN/DISTANCE: 2nd-and-5 at 50
THE PLAY: Robinson, the Falcons running back, is just electric. The Falcons scored in three plays on their opening drive, with Robinson catching a simple flat pass and weaving through the Bucs secondary on the 50-yard catch and run. He appeared to be moving at a different speed than the Bucs, changing directions twice at pace and leaving several fallen Tampa Bay defenders in his wake.
In the eyes of many NFL observers, especially fantasy football team owners, Bijan is that guy, maybe the most exciting non-quarterback in the league.
Just 23 years old, Robinson gained nearly 1,900 yards from scrimmage in 2024.
"Robinson entered the league with considerable expectations and has largely met them," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote. "He's one of three players in NFL history to produce 2,400 rushing yards and 100 receptions in a player's first two seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Edgerrin James and LaDainian Tomlinson."
The NFL Network predicts that Robinson will lead the league this season in touches and touchdowns: “Last season, with Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. sharing QB duties, Robinson only had one touchdown catch on 72 targets, with much of his receiving production stemming from balls caught behind the line of scrimmage. With Penix Jr. solidified as the team's starter this season, we can expect the dual-threat back to be a more dynamic pass-catcher in the red zone, leading to an uptick in receiving TDs.”
Well, Robinson has one touchdown already in 2025 and it was a thrill.
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