Perhaps it is fitting that Falcons running back Bijan Robinson played in the Toy Story Funday Football game back in Week 4. Since making his NFL debut, Robinson has been a toy for head coach Arthur Smith to use in the backfield. It wouldn’t be surprising if we later find out that he was taken from Andy’s toy chest and placed in Atlanta’s alongside Drake London and Kyle Pitts, but that is something to ponder another time.

Right now, the Bucs are focused on containing Bijan Robinson and limiting the impact he has on Sunday when he faces Tampa Bay for what could be the first of many times in his career.

Bucs’ Defense Knows The Threat Falcons RB Bijan Robinson Poses

Falcons RB Bijan Robinson – Photo by: USA Today

What is scary to think about is that Bijan Robinson has barely scratched the surface of his potential. Hailed as the best running back prospect since Saquon Barkley, Robinson can do it all. He is explosive out of the gates and pairs his burst with the ability to make cuts that make defenders look silly.

Not only has he picked up 401 rushing yards on 80 attempts this season, but he is also a skilled receiver averaging over four receptions a game for another 189 yards and two touchdowns.

Suffice it to say, the Bucs’ defense is going to have their hands full in trying to stifle Robinson and the many ways he can impact the game. Plenty of starters on defense have high praise for Bijan Robinson, with Bucs outside linebacker Shaq Barrett the first of many on Tampa Bay’s defense to offer his impressions of the dynamic rookie running back.

“Explosive,” Barrett said. “He goes zero to 100 in one or two steps. He is a really good running back from what I’ve [seen] so far, so we’re going to have our work cut out for us. But we’ve been working on it in practice breaking down and firming up the tackles, so hopefully we will get him down without too many missed tackles.

“He is just a playmaker. Whenever he gets the opportunity, it seems like he’s trying to take it to the house. He makes people miss tackles, he can cut back and then burst full speed really quick. He’s the real deal and I’m looking forward to playing against him, not just for me, but for our defense to see where we’re at against a high-quality running back.”

Bijan Robinson Shares Touches With Another Talented Running Back

Falcons RB Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier – Photo by: USA Today

Not only do the Falcons have one high-quality running back, but with Tyler Allgeier as a worthy complement to Bijan Robinson, they have two. Allgeier has gone under the radar, but last season he rushed for 1,035 yards, 135 of which came against the Bucs in the season finale.

He has not gotten off to the best start this year, but he started to get on the right track against the Panthers last Sunday, rushing 15 times for 75 yards and two touchdowns. Tampa Bay’s defense will have to account for him as well.

“Man, [that’s a] talented backfield,” Bucs inside linebacker Lavonte David said. “Might be the most dangerous duo in the league, honestly. Underrated guys, even though one’s a rookie and one’s a second-year player. [Allgeier] ran for a 1,000 yards last year and we got the bulk of it. Definitely two talented guys, two guys who present problems for us and we got to be ready for sure.”

Outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka agreed. “They’re talented for sure. Their O-line does a good job getting a hat on defenders and moving people out of the way so they’re skilled. It’s going to be a challenge for us, but I’m excited.”

It is a Falcons offensive line with a lot of talent and has a proficiency in run blocking. Right guard Chris Lindstrom leads the way as a Pro Bowl player and one of the best guards and football, but he is not their only solid offensive lineman. Jake Matthews has been a steady eddy for them since being drafted in 2014, while center Drew Dalman and right tackle Kaleb McGary are both solid players who have graded out well this year.

“There’s a lot of talent on that O-line and that offense in general,” Tryon-Shoyinka added. “It’s always a challenge playing them, whoever they have, their scheme is definitely challenging but I like our matchup.”

Bucs Co-DC Kacy Rodgers: “If We Don’t Stop The Run, We’re Not Winning”

“If we don’t stop the run, we’re not winning,” co-defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers said. “I can tell you that. They are really a two-headed monster. The last time we played Atlanta, we didn’t really do a good job stopping the run either.

Falcons WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts – Photo by: USA Today

“They’re a team in Atlanta, with the extra pieces they added and their commitment to the running game, [that] make them very viable because then you also throw in the quarterback run game element that they have. And then you add in a different receiving element. The last couple of times we have played them we always missed [Kyle] Pitts, so now you have Pitts along with [Drake] London. They just create problems for us.”

Compared to last year, the Falcons now have a few more weapons for the Bucs to stop in Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, and Jonnu Smith. Pitts has returned after missing most of last season, while Smith is flourishing playing under Arthur Smith again. That tight-end duo poses its own concerns.

But going back to Robinson, he is arguably the best running back Tampa Bay has seen this season, and he will be a good precursor for the defense before they go on to face Derrick Henry and Christian McCaffery in the coming weeks.