 celebrates after a victory with mascot Freddie Falcon against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/bijanbird.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=633,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/bijanbird.jpg”><figcaption> Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports.</figcaption></figure>
<p>The NFL has devalued running backs for years now. That doesn’t mean there isn’t an outlier every once in a while. Just last spring, the Atlanta Falcons drafted Bijan Robinson from Texas with the 8th overall pick. </p>
<h4>Can the Vikings Bottle Up Bijan?</h4>
<p>He was seen as a prolific running back and has gotten his career off to a nice start. He’ll face arguably his toughest test yet on Sunday.</p>
<p>When the Falcons come to town, they will face a Minnesota Vikings defense <a href=)
that boasts the best run defense in the league. Robinson tallied 976 yards in 17 games last season. He has upped his average by nearly 20 yards per game this year and has 885 yards in just 12 contests.
 runs with the ball against the Minnesota Vikings at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/bijankirk.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=659,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/bijankirk.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/bijankirk.jpg” alt=”vikings”><figcaption> Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>As Robinson has done with his Dijon mustard brand, the Vikings will be looking to bottle up the opposing halfback. Robinson has found paydirt seven times this season, and he’ll very likely double the touchdown total (4) from last season by year’s end. Robinson has also proven to be an adept receiver in the passing game, and the Falcons will certainly seek to get him open looks.</p>
<p>Kirk Cousins returns to U.S. Bank Stadium wanting to silence the crowd he once leaned on. If that happens, then the Falcons will need to be a much more dynamic unit than they have been to this point in the season. Robinson has been a focal point of the offense, but the outcomes have translated to just a .500 record at 6-6.</p>
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<figure><img loading=)
gashed them for more than 150 yards, but that wasn’t entirely attributed to the running back position. Robinson will carry the load for the Falcons, and Minnesota must come correct if they hope to corral him on the afternoon.
 hands the ball off to running back Bijan Robinson (7) during pre-game warmups before their game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/USATSI_21494123_168394844_lowres.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/USATSI_21494123_168394844_lowres.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/USATSI_21494123_168394844_lowres.jpg” alt ><figcaption> Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>It will be a tough test for the Vikings, but Minnesota is also the best unit Robinson has seen this year and maybe throughout his career.</p>
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Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes daily for Minnesota Sports Fan. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.
