Bijan Robinson fuels Falcons in MNF win against Bills

ATLANTA — Michael Penix Jr. made all the plays necessary in his “Monday Night Football” debut and had plenty of help from running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London en route to the Atlanta Falcons beating the Buffalo Bills, 24-14, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Penix, the second-year quarterback, was 20-of-32 for 250 yards and a touchdown. Robinson had 170 yards rushing, including an 81-yard touchdown run, and another 68 receiving. London had 10 catches for 158 yards and a touchdown. It was the second time Robinson and London each had 150 yards and a touchdown as teammates in their careers. They’re the only Falcons teammates to do it more than once since the 1970 merger, per ESPN Research.

Atlanta’s defense might have been even better than its offense. The Falcons forced the Bills into four three-and-outs, which was double their highest single-game total of the season coming in, and sacked quarterback Josh Allen four times.

Here are the most important things to know from Monday night for both teams:

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Drake London steps out of bounds just before hitting pylon

Drake London appears to dive for a touchdown, but his foot lands out of bounds a yard short for the Falcons as time expires in the first half.

Is Robinson the leading contender for NFL Offensive Player of the Year? What Robinson has done early this season is remarkable. The third-year running back has more yards from scrimmage through five games than any other player in Falcons history. His 138 rushing yards at the half were the most by any player in the league after two quarters this season. Robinson came into the game leading the league with 146 yards from scrimmage per game — and then put up 238 on Monday night, the second highest total in the league this season.

Trend to watch: The Falcons were without two of their top three wide receivers in Darnell Mooney (hamstring) and Ray-Ray McCloud III (healthy scratch). McCloud’s absence was a surprise. It forced the Falcons to rely heavily on two skill players: Bijan Robinson and Drake London, who combined for 89% of the team’s yardage in the first half and came in with the highest percentage of their team’s scrimmage yardage (57%) out of any duo in the NFL, according to ESPN Research.

Stat to know: The Falcons’ 335 yards in the first half were their most before halftime since 2009. For the first time in Falcons franchise history, the team had a running back and wide receiver — Robinson and London, respectively — eclipse the 100-yard mark in the first half. — Marc Raimondi

Next game: at San Francisco (8:20 p.m. ET, Oct. 19)

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Bills comes up with a huge blocked field goal

Parker Romo goes to kick a field goal for Atlanta, but the Bills comes through with a big block.

The frustration was visible from quarterback Josh Allen, who pushed his helmet to the ground as he sat on the bench once again after failing to string a drive together in the middle of the fourth quarter.

The struggles persisted in Monday’s game at Atlanta with the second straight loss dropping the Bills to 4-2 overall. Buffalo somehow managed to stay in a game that outside of its first offensive drive, looked far out of reach.

While the defense was sloppy, Buffalo gave up too many yards and has issues, including injuries, it’s the offense that failed to take advantage of opportunities. In the first half, there were four straight punts, and while a touchdown drive to start the second half showed a spark, it didn’t linger. A turnover on downs on a fake tush push that failed gave the Falcons the ball back at their own 47-yard line. And even when the Bills blocked a field goal, the offense responded with back-to-back three-and-outs.

Allen finished the game 15-for-26 (57.7%) with 180 receiving yards, two passing touchdowns, two interceptions and four sacks. He also rushed for 42 yards on six carries. The unit was without tight end Dalton Kincaid, who was missed, and wide receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle) for much of the game. Coordinator Joe Brady went away from running back James Cook III late and did not use him on third downs at all despite a 17-carry, 87-yard day.

After starting the season scoring 30-plus points in the first four games, the Bills’ offense has work to do.

Trend to watch: Injuries. The Bills came into this game with two starters — linebacker Matt Milano (pectoral) and tight end Dalton Kincaid (oblique) — out because of injuries. Before the game, defensive tackle DaQuan Jones suffered a calf injury in warmups and was ruled out. Wide receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle) left the game in the first half, linebacker Terrel Bernard didn’t play in the second half because of an ankle injury, and safety Cole Bishop missed time in the second half because of cramping, but returned in the fourth quarter. The Bills have a bye this coming week, and it couldn’t come at a better time for much-needed rest.

Stat to know: The Falcons’ 335 first-half yards were the most that the Bills have allowed before halftime since 2001 (Week 2, at Indianapolis Colts). Missed tackles were a major theme for the Bills’ defense, especially in the first half, but the unit adjusted well in the second half. The Falcons were held to 8 net yards in the third quarter and 109 net yards in the fourth. — Alaina Getzenberg

Next game: at Carolina (1 p.m. ET, Oct. 26)