Bijan Robinson's record-breaking pace should make him OPOY favorite

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Bijan Robinson's record-breaking pace should make him early OPOY favorite over fellow star RB

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Oct 14, 2025 3:40 PM ET

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson continued his record-breaking pace in a victory over the Buffalo Bills on "Monday Night Football."

In the 24-14 home upset, the third-year RB logged 170 yards rushing and 68 yards receiving, helping the Falcons improve to 3-2. Robinson now has 822 yards from scrimmage (484 rushing and 338 receiving) through five games, the most in the NFL.

The 2023 first-round pick out of Texas is averaging 164.4 yards from scrimmage per game. If he maintains that pace, he will finish the season with 2,795 yards from scrimmage, which would be the most in NFL history. Former Tennessee Titans RB Chris Johnson set the record during the 2009 season, with 2,509 yards from scrimmage in 16 games.

Bijan Robinson's record-breaking pace has placed him in the OPOY conversation

As of Tuesday, FanDuel Sportsbook lists Robinson's Offensive Player of the Year odds at +230, the second best in the league. Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor is listed as the favorite with +185 odds.

BIJAN ROBINSON 81-YARD TD!

BUFvsATL on ESPN
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Taylor has been at the forefront of the Colts' 5-1 start this season. Through six games, he ranks third in the league in yards from scrimmage (750).

Why Bijan Robinson should be the OPOY favorite instead of Jonathan Taylor

No doubt, Taylor is impressive, but Robinson is more critical to Atlanta's offensive success than the Colts star is to that of Indianapolis.

Robinson provides value in the pass and run game. Taylor, meanwhile, does most of his damage on the ground. Through six games, the Colts RB leads the league in rushing yards (603). However, he has just 147 receiving yards, the fifth most on his team. Rookie tight end Tyler Warren leads Indianapolis in receiving yards (370 in six games).

Robinson, meanwhile, ranks second on the Falcons in receiving yards behind WR Drake London, who has 427 through five games. In the win over Buffalo, the WR and RB combined for 226 yards on 16 receptions.

Robinson's versatility is why Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said the RB is the "best player in football" following the win over the Bills. He certainly may be the best offensive player in football, no matter what oddsmakers say.

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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