CBS Sports just dropped their early MVP candidates list, and if you haven’t noticed, the NFL’s landscape is shifting hard. Two of the top three names on that list are running backs. You heard that right. It feels like the last two decades of quarterback dominance in the MVP race are finally getting a serious challenge. We haven’t seen this kind of RB importance since Adrian Peterson’s insane 2012 season, when he racked up 2,097 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns, 88 first downs, and led the league with 131.1 rushing yards per game and 2,314 total yards from scrimmage. RBs are back, baby.
Bijan Robinson’s Explosive Run
Sitting at No. 3 on CBS Sports’ list is Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. This dude has been absolutely on fire, proving his elite status in the last two games alone. He ran roughshod over the Packers for a mind-blowing 194 yards and two scores, then turned around and absolutely ran circles around the Saints’ defense, putting up another 145 yards and two more touchdowns. Want to talk about setting the tone? His 59-yard scoring jaunt less than two minutes into the game against New Orleans helped clinch Atlanta’s dominant 45-24 win. That’s a guy who just rips defenses apart.
The Toughest Test Yet and MVP Realities
So, what’s next for Robinson? He’s about to face his toughest test yet against a stingy Baltimore Ravens team. The Ravens rank 10th in run defense, giving up only 100 yards per game on the ground. This is the toughest rush defense the Falcons have seen all season, no doubt about it. If Robinson and his partner Brian Robinson Jr. can go wild against Baltimore, it’s going to be impossible to argue that any team can slow down this Falcons rushing attack. Let’s be real though, while he’s scorching hot right now, serious MVP consideration is a long shot. That award almost always goes to the best players on teams with the best records, and just dominating the NFC South isn’t going to cut it for the Falcons in that conversation. Still, Bijan’s got a super strong case for the Offensive Player of the Year award, and that’s nothing to scoff at.
Looking ahead, all eyes are on that Ravens matchup. Can Bijan continue his insane pace against a top-tier run defense? His performance there will tell us everything we need to know about just how high his ceiling is for the rest of the season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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