Bijan Robinson, Falcons make NFC South statement in rout of Saints

NEW ORLEANS -- It took Bijan Robinson exactly three plays to make a statement Monday night, and the Atlanta Falcons spent the rest of the game adding an exclamation mark in a 45-24 victory over the New Orleans Saints. Robinson opened the scoring with a 59-yard touchdown run as he continued his primetime excellence, finishing with 145 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. Brian Robinson Jr. scored three touchdowns. The duo averaged 3.7 yards before contact and broke 11 tackles. It was a history making performance as the Falcons became the first NFL team ever to win consecutive games: on the road, in primetime and by 20-plus points. The Saints couldn't get much going on either side of the ball all night until a touchdown in the waning moments. Here are the most important things to know for both teams: Atlanta Falcons (2-2) What to make of Michael Penix Jr.'s performance: Penix was efficient and managed a good game with the ground attack leading the way. He was 15-of-20 passing for 223 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Atlanta was 4-of-8 on third downs, a major negative for Penix in the past. In just two games since returning from a torn left ACL, Penix has looked like he could deveop into the quarterback the Falcons envisioned. Trend to watch: Bijan Robinson's dominance in primetime games continued. He was over 100 yards on the ground by halftime with two touchdowns. Bijan was the first player with at least 75 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a single quarter on Monday Night Football since DeAngelo Williams of the Carolina Panthers did it in 2008. Since the 1970 NFL/AFC merger, no player has more scrimmage yards per game in primetime than Robinson (145.5 in 12 games) with a minimum of five games, per ESPN Research. Stat to know: The Falcons had multiple players score multiple rushing touchdowns in a single game for the first time since Oct. 21, 1973, according to ESPN Research. Dave Hampton and Eddie Ray did it against the Chargers back then. Surprising performance: Brian Robinson Jr. had three rushing touchdowns for the first time in his career. He became the first non-starter to rush for three touchdowns in a single game since Gus Edwards for the Baltimore Ravens in 2023. Brian Robinson Jr. is the first Falcons running back with three touchdowns in a game since Devonta Freeman in 2016. Next game: vs. Baltimore Ravens (Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET) New Orleans Saints (1-3) The Saints came into the game with high emotions and optimism as they revisited the 20th anniversary of their return to the Caesars Superdome following Hurricane Katrina's devastation. They left searching for answers after losing to their bitter rival in a performance that included eight penalties, a missed field goal, eight turnovers and yet another slow start on offense. The defense came into the game without starting linebacker Kaden Elliss and a number of players on the defensive line and it showed. They gave up 207 yards on the ground and a number of explosive plays through the air. The Saints had a chance to make some noise in the NFC South with a win, now they'll need to climb out of a 1-3 hole with an undefeated Minnesota Vikings team coming to New Orleans next week. What to make of Tyler Shough's performance: Shough has been a bright spot this season, but against the Falcons, he didn't have his best game, completing 30-of-48 passes with one touchdown and no interceptions. He was sacked twice and was under constant pressure, getting pressured on 35% percent of his snaps, according to ESPN Research. His only touchdown pass came with 1:13 left on a three-yard pass to Devaughn Vele. Stat to know: Their eight turnovers this season are tied for fourth-most in the NFL and part of a larger problem of sloppy play that has led to a 1-3 start. Trend to watch: Slow starts. They have been a problem since the start of the Kellen Moore regime last year. The Saints have scored six points in the first quarter this season and their 35 first quarter points dating back to the start of last season ranks last in the NFL during that period. Next game: Minnesota Vikings (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)