A Mismatch in the Trenches
Monday night brings a classic NFC South fight to the Superdome. The Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints both sit at 1-2. The stakes are high, but the injury report tells a different story for the home team. The Saints are missing their top run defender, Kaden Elliss, who is out with a calf injury. According to Yahoo Sports, Elliss is the team’s best run defender and their leading tackler. Losing him is a huge blow before the game even starts.
New Orleans also faces uncertainty with linebacker Pete Werner. He has missed practice all week due to a shoulder injury and is listed as questionable. The Saints simply do not have the depth to handle Atlanta’s ground game without these key men. The Falcons boast one of the league’s best offensive lines. They feature solid starters like Jake Matthews and Matthew Bergeron on the left side. Right guard Chris Lindstrom and right tackle Jawaan Taylor form a wall that rarely breaks.
Robinson’s Heavy Load
At the center of this storm is Bijan Robinson. He is the crown jewel of the Atlanta offense. Robinson has rushed for over 1,400 yards in each of the last two years. After just three games this season, he has already gained 349 yards on the ground. That number ranks second in the entire NFL. He is a lethal threat inside or outside the tackles. His mix of power and burst makes him nearly impossible to stop one-on-one.
The Falcons’ rushing attack was already ranked eighth in the league last season. That ranking jumped even higher after Atlanta rushed for 242 yards against the Green Bay Packers, with robinson accounting for 194 yards and two touchdowns. He followed that up with 194 yards in the next game. According to Yahoo Sports, Robinson has accumulated more than 100 scrimmage yards in four of his six meetings versus the Saints. He knows this defense, and he has beaten them before.
Can the Backup Plan Work?
New Orleans will try to plug the holes with backup players. Rugged Danny Stutsman is expected to play one linebacker spot. Isaiah Stalbird may get more reps, but he has seen very little time on base downs. The Saints also miss defensive ends Carl Granderson and Anfernee Jennings. Jennings is a standout run defender, and his absence leaves Chase Young and Cameron Jordan with no help.
The Falcons have another weapon in Brian Robinson. He complements Bijan well with outstanding power between the tackles. Atlanta can line up Bijan as a receiver while keeping Brian in the backfield. This forces the Saints to guess who will carry the ball. The Falcons’ rushing defense is actually the best in the NFL, allowing only 47.7 yards per game. But this week, the focus is on stopping the run, not making it.
The Saints must find a way to slow down the rush or face a long night. Without Elliss and with Werner unsure, the defense is dangerously thin. The Falcons are ready to exploit every gap. If New Orleans cannot stop Bijan Robinson, the 1-2 record could quickly turn into 1-3. The Monday night lights will shine bright on a defense that is already on its knees.
