Chiefs’ Red-Zone Defense Faces Bijan Robinson Test in Atlanta

The Kansas City Chiefs have allowed eight touchdowns on 21 red-zone trips this season. On Sunday, they’ll try to keep that number down against the Atlanta Falcons and one of the NFL’s most productive running backs.

Kansas City ranks third in red-zone touchdown rate allowed through Week 9, according to Sharp Football Analysis. Opponents have reached the end zone on 38% of those trips. Atlanta has scored touchdowns on 16 of its 26 trips, a 61.5% rate.

Bijan Robinson gives Atlanta several ways to finish those drives. He has rushed for 880 yards and five touchdowns on 169 carries this season. He has also caught 31 passes for 250 yards and a touchdown, according to the NFL’s Week 10 matchup notes.

For Kansas City, the work starts on first down. If Robinson gets Atlanta into second-and-short, the Falcons can keep him in the backfield and make the Chiefs account for both the run and a pass off play-action. An early stop gives Kansas City a better chance to put Atlanta in a clear passing situation.

That’s where Chris Jones can make a difference. The defensive tackle earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after the Chiefs beat the New York Jets. Against Atlanta, pressure up the middle could force a quicker throw and give Robinson less time to find space if he releases into a route.

Robinson is only part of the challenge. Drake London leads Atlanta with 44 catches and 692 receiving yards, and the Chiefs will have to account for him while keeping defenders close enough to tackle Robinson underneath. That balance gets harder if the Falcons can stay ahead of the chains and keep their full playbook available.

Kansas City kept the Jets out of the end zone in a 35–12 win last week, holding them to four field goals. The Chiefs enter Sunday at 6–2, while the Falcons are 3–6. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The first time Atlanta gets inside the 20, watch how much room Robinson has on his first touch. A stop that leaves the Falcons facing third-and-long gives Jones and the pass rush a chance to make Atlanta settle for three.