The Baltimore Ravens know exactly where to start stopping the Atlanta Falcons' offense. As his team prepares for Sunday Night Football, much of the media's attention will more than likely center on quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and an offense that has exploded over the past two weeks.
Inside Baltimore's building, however, the focus starts with running back Bijan Robinson. He's coming off a dominant performance. He's had a few of those. This one came against the New Orleans Saints, when he rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns.
That included a 59-yard scoring run that helped Atlanta seize control early. One might imagine that Baltimore's coaching staff and the Ravens' defense have had their discussions about that
Baltimore's defense knows one player changes everything
During his Wednesday media session,
Ravens coach Jesse Minter explained why Robinson presents one of the toughest challenges Baltimore has faced this season.
"Yes, they have a versatile run game schematically. It is a lot of [Falcons head] Coach [Kevin] Stefanski and [Falcons offensive coordinator] Tommy Rees and what they ran in Cleveland. Then, I think they have also done a good job really implementing some of the things that maybe that offensive line has been really good at the last couple years and Bijan [Robinson] is really good at. So, they have a wide range of schemes. They get them running downhill and especially like the stretch play, where you are running towards the numbers, and then you give them a lot of different ways to cut that play. [They can] take it all the way outside; he has the speed to break it once he gets out.
Minter's comments echoed what film has made clear. Robinson is not simply a productive runner. He forces defenses to account for every gap, every cutback lane, and every missed tackle opportunity.
"He is an elite, elite player with a good offensive line and a bunch of other good players around him. Then the quarterback has really — you can just sense like a confidence in that offense with [Michael Penix Jr.] out there these last couple games. [And with] what they have been able to do, it is a challenge that I think we are really excited about. We kind of see it as a great challenge and a great opportunity more than anything, for us to play, to continue to chase improvement and play the way that we need to play on defense."
Atlanta's offense has surged behind his ability to create explosive plays. That's partly why the Falcons are coming off a 45-point win over New Orleans. Safety Kyle Hamilton offered a similar assessment when discussing Baltimore's approach to slowing Robinson.
"I think [Bijan Robinson] is super talented in everything that he does. He is very sudden, very strong, explosive. Obviously, he has the stats to back it up and, you know, there is not a lot like him. So, it is up to us to be where we are supposed to be. I think that is the big thing first and foremost, especially in the run game. Do not get out of your gap, trust guys to come and do their job and I think we will be fine."
Both Minter and Hamilton emphasized discipline. Robinson has the vision and acceleration to punish defenders who abandon their assignments, and Baltimore's defense understands that one mistake can quickly turn into a game-changing gain. Hamilton also offered the following.
"11 [players are] needed, because he can make ten miss. So, that 11th guy might be the touchdown-saving tackle, game-saving tackle — whatever it may be — but you have to go in there confident. I think if we run and hit well, we will do what we need to do. And at the end of the day, that is what this game comes down to — a very fundamental approach to this game. I am excited to see what we do."
The challenge becomes even more significant this week because Atlanta has leaned heavily on its rushing attack during its recent surge. Robinson remains the centerpiece of an offense that has found its rhythm, giving the Ravens little margin for error when fitting the run and tackling in space.
Baltimore has built its identity around physical defense, and Sunday night's matchup will provide another measuring stick. If the Ravens can limit Robinson's explosive runs and force Atlanta into uncomfortable situations, they'll have a strong chance to leave Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a win. If they cannot, Robinson has already shown he can take over a game quickly.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: How Ravens plan to contain Bijan Robinson on Sunday night vs. Falcons
