Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) runs onto the field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Bijan Robinson shows why Saquon Barkley has been raving about him in Week 1

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Sep 7, 2025 1:52 PM ET

Philadelphia Eagles star Saquon Barkley believes he's the best running back in the NFL, but not the most talented.

In an August interview with Sports Illustrated's Greg Bishop, the 2024 Offensive Player of the Year deemed Atlanta Falcons star Bijan Robinson the NFL's most gifted RB. He showed why he's deserving of that praise in Sunday's home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Bijan Robinson generated explosive play on second touch of the game

On a 2-and-5 at the 50-yard line, Falcons second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. faked to Robinson and dropped back. He then tossed the ball to the RB, who took it to the house for a 50-yard TD, giving Atlanta a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter.

BIJAN ROBINSON. 50-YARD TD. JUST LIKE THAT.

TBvsATL on FOXhttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/sVlo9qOxYp
— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2025

The play highlights one area where Robinson has been trying to emulate Barkley: explosiveness. Although the former Texas Longhorns star rushed for 2,432 yards in his first two seasons with the Falcons, he didn't have many long runs. The longest run of his career entering Sunday's game was 38 yards.

Barkley, meanwhile, is one of the more explosive backs in the league. The longest run of his career came during his rookie season with the New York Giants in 2018. It was a 78-yarder against the Washington Commanders.

"We all want it. We're all waiting for a Saquon-type season when it comes to explosives," Robinson told Will McFadden of the team website in a story published June 3. "But I've been working on it a lot this offseason. And obviously, when it gets to the season, it's time to go show it and do the work right away."

Robinson said he ran 100-yard sprints this offseason to improve his speed. Perhaps that's working. His first touchdown of the 2025 season certainly looked Barkley-esque.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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