The Atlanta Falcons averaged an impressive 5.3 yards per rushing attempt against the Chicago Bears in Week 6, but they finished with just 63 total yards on 12 carries. On the surface, this would appear to be an easy fix, but it's hard to run the ball when you're losing by multiple touchdowns.
This was the case against the Bears, as the Falcons trailed 21-7 at halftime and 31-7 in the fourth quarter. Atlanta did manage to make it close, thanks to some late heroics by quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Ultimately, it was too little, too late.
Bijan Robinson had nine carries for 61 yards, which is objectively not enough touches for the star running back. The Falcons will need to start much faster in order to take down an undefeated San Francisco 49ers
team in Week 7.
One way they can do that is by giving the ball to Robinson. In fact, CBS Sports' Garrett Podell is predicting a monster day for the Falcons running back against the 49ers on Sunday:
"San Francisco has curbed outside-zone runs to just 3.2 yards per carry, the sixth-fewest in the NFL, and they are the only defense that hasn't allowed a gain of 10 or more yards on those runs, per the NFL's Next Gen Stats. They have also tackled rushers for a loss or no gain on 5 of 29 outside-zone carries, 17.2%. Robinson has 10 explosive runs (gains of 10 or more yards) on his 65 outside-zone carries, tied with Derrick Henry for the most in the league. He's also only been stuffed for no gain or a loss on 6 of his 65 outside-zone run carries.Robinson will repeatedly cook the 49ers, rushing to the outside, and he'll become not only the first player with over 100 yards rushing against San Francisco in 2026 but the first player to hit at least 150 yards rushing against San Francisco."
The 49ers defense is led by former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, and as Podell pointed out, there aren't many weaknesses. However, running the ball is the best way to create space for Penix and the passing game.
If Atlanta can't get off to a fast start in Week 7, the team will likely drop to 2-5 and would face an uphill battle to make the playoffs. Obviously, you're never fully out of the mix in the lowly NFC South, but the Falcons can't afford a third straight loss.
Robinson has rushed for 641 yards and four touchdowns on 5.9 yards per carry this season. If he can maintain that average against San Francisco, the Falcons might have a chance after all.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: NFL analyst thinks Falcons RB will 'cook the 49ers' in Week 7
