Falcons Upset Rams Behind Historic 93 Yard Bijan Robinson TD
The defining moment of the game occurred late in the second quarter. With the Falcons already leading 14-0, rookie safety Xavier Watts intercepted a Matthew Stafford pass at the Atlanta 7 yard line. On the very next play, Kirk Cousins handed the ball to Robinson, who found a crease on the left side, made a defender miss in the secondary, and outran the entire Rams' defense for a staggering 93 yard touchdown.
This run was not only the longest of Robinson's professional career but also the longest rushing touchdown in Atlanta Falcons history, surpassing Warrick Dunn’s 90 yard effort from 2006. The play sent a clear message: Robinson is currently the most dangerous open field threat in the National Football League.
Shattering Longstanding Franchise Milestones
Heading into the Week 17 matchup, Robinson needed 151 scrimmage yards to break William Andrews’ 42 year old franchise record for total yards from scrimmage in a single season (2,176 yards, set in 1983). Robinson reached that mark midway through the third quarter, finishing the night with a total of 229 scrimmage yards (195 rushing, 34 receiving).
By the end of the game, Robinson’s season total reached 2,255 yards, making him the new gold standard for Falcons offensive production. Additionally, he became the first player in NFL history to record over 2,200 scrimmage yards in a season before the age of 24, a feat that places him in the company of legends like Marshall Faulk and Christian McCaffrey.
Dominating the Game Plan from Start to Finish
Robinson's impact began long before his record breaking run. He opened the scoring for Atlanta in the first quarter with a 4 yard touchdown reception, showcasing his versatility as a dual threat back. Throughout the game, the Rams' defense struggled to contain Robinson's lateral agility, as he averaged a massive 8.9 yards per carry on 22 attempts.
"He’s a special player," Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins said after the game. "What he can do in both the run game and the pass game is very unique. I've been around some great backs, but Bijan's vision and ability to break the big one at any moment is something else."
While the Rams attempted a furious second half comeback, scoring 21 unanswered points to tie the game at 24-24, it was Robinson who put the Falcons back in scoring position late in the fourth quarter. His 10 yard pitch play on the final drive set up Zane Gonzalez for a game winning 51 yard field goal with just 21 seconds remaining.
Defensive Support and Playoff Implications
The Falcons' victory wasn't solely a one man show. The defense played a critical role in the first-half shutout, which saw veteran safety Jessie Bates III record a 34 yard pick six. Rookie safety Xavier Watts also shone, tallying two interceptions against Matthew Stafford, who had his most difficult outing of the season.
For the Falcons (7-9), the win marks their third consecutive victory and keeps their hopes of a strong season finish alive. For the Rams (11-5), the loss is a significant blow to their seeding, dropping them to the No. 6 spot in the NFC and likely forcing them into a difficult road path during the upcoming playoffs.
Key Takeaways and Highlights
The Record: Bijan Robinson’s 93 yard TD is the longest in Falcons history.
Scrimmage King: Robinson now holds the Falcons' single season record with 2,255 scrimmage yards.
The Performance: 22 carries, 195 rushing yards, 5 receptions, 34 receiving yards, and 2 total touchdowns.
The Result: Atlanta improves to 4-1 in primetime games this season with the 27-24 upset.
As the 2025 regular season draws to a close, Bijan Robinson has made an undeniable case for NFL Offensive Player of the Year. His ability to carry a team on his back against a Super Bowl contender like the Rams proves that the future of the Falcons' offense is in very capable hands.