“Aw, shucks,” or “Aw, Shoughs,” if you’re fluent in New Orleans Saintspeak.
Whatever the dialect, that’s essentially how Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson treated his latest prime-time masterclass on Monday night.
Robinson’s 145-yard, two-touchdown effort sparked Atlanta to a 45-24 rout of the host Saints while keeping intact his penchant for shining when stadium lights typically do.
The Falcons play home games indoors, just like the Saints, but Robinson also does all right for himself in outdoor night games. He was coming off a 194-yard, two-TD showing at Green Bay on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 3.
“Bijan is such an interesting, unique back,” Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski said. “He has that power, and then when he does get an opening, he has that breakaway speed. That’s very rare. I’m glad he’s on our team.”
Atlanta outgained New Orleans on the ground 205-50 behind a dominant offensive line and the running Robinsons. Bijan’s backfield mate, Brian Robinson, rushed for three short TDs.
With stalwart left tackle Jake Matthews sidelined after injuring his groin in the first quarter, the Falcons still persevered with an agile and physical front five.
Giving the ball to Bijan Robinson always helps. The 5-foot-11, 215-pounder entered the game as the NFL’s all-time leader in scrimmage yards in primetime games, averaging 145.5 in 11 such contests.
Kickoff time notwithstanding, Robinson found daylight on Atlanta’s third play, rushing for a 59-yard touchdown that gave the Falcons a lead they never relinquished.
“For it to come after that third play was pretty special,” Robinson said. “We just went back to the sideline and said, ‘That’s what we talked about – make sure that we put it on them early so the crowd doesn’t become an issue.’”
New Orleans recognized the 20th anniversary of the Superdome reopening after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the region and forced the Saints on the road for the 2005 season. The Falcons were the foe on “Monday Night Football” on that first “Domecoming” night as New Orleans rumbled to a 20-point victory.
Atlanta returned for the 10-year commemoration and won 45-32, so Saints fans should be used to the Falcons as ungracious houseguests. On Monday, many among the home faithful voiced their displeasure as the Saints retreated to the locker room with a 24-7 halftime deficit.
They weren’t shy about showing frustration at other junctures, either.
“Fans understandably are upset,” New Orleans quarterback Tyler Shough said. “We had some opportunities that we didn’t take advantage of and you’re playing the Falcons and you lose like that. I mean, I’d boo, too. That sucks.”
Most Saints fans had headed for home when Robinson sidled up for a postgame TV interview. He discussed how playing in primetime “just brings out a different energy” in the Falcons and called the offensive line’s weekly work ethic “inspirational.”
Robinson fits the bill in that category, too. He added a two-yard reception and finished the night with 2,912 scrimmage yards since 2025, most in the league over that span.
With quarterback Michael Penix Jr. rounding into form after recovering from knee surgery, the Falcons are surging as they prepare for a three-game homestand against Baltimore, Chicago and San Francisco.
“Whatever we’re doing, whatever we’re calling, you just don’t know if we’re gonna run or pass, and that’s how we want to do it,” Robinson said.
The Baltimore game is set for “Sunday Night Football” and marks Atlanta’s last contest scheduled for prime time this season, although a Week 18 visit to Carolina could be flexed there, pending playoff implications.
“Got another one next week, so let’s do it,” Robinson said.
Aw, shucks. Why not?
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