The Chicago Bears have a difficult path to take when it comes to Sunday and slowing down Bijan Robinson. The Atlanta Falcons playmaker has an argument as the best at his position and has been incredible since Michael Penix Jr. rejoined the starting lineup. Making matters more difficult is the fact that Chicago's typical edge answers are on the shelf, with Montez Sweat being handed a suspension and Dayo Odeyingbo will miss the game as well with an injury.
Atlanta's run game is heavily reliant on getting Robinson out on the edges and creating after making the first man miss. It is truly going to be an uphill fight when you look at the potential starting edge rushers for Chicago and realize that it is going to be backups attempting to slow down a player who has not only an argument as the league's best back, but the most talented skills player in the league.
For Bears fans that haven't watched much of the Falcons, Bijan is the one piece that jumps off the screen anytime Atlanta's offense is on the field. Robinson already has 580 rushing yards despite spending the first two games of the season with Cooper Rush as his starting quarterback.
Building this case further is the fact Robinson is Atlanta's second leading receiver with 152 receiving yards and a touchdown. No question, the production from the back has been elite and Sunday is going to be incredibly difficult for the Bears to defense, with reason to wonder if it could be similar to Week 1 when the Carolina Panthers and Bears entered a surprise shootout.
Bears missing starting edge rushers at worst possible moment as Bijan Robinson looms
With that said, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has already exceeded expectations more than once this season. When Caleb Williams first went down there was a sense of belief that the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets both could be set for exciting days offensively. Instead, Allen's unit held the two teams to a combined 19 points and put all of his pieces in the perfect position.
This leaves some reason for hope even with things appearing undeniably bleak. Robinson is an offense unto himself and is going to demand Ben Johnson's best punch with both of Chicago's starting edge rushers remaining on the shelf.
Chicago needs to find a way to slow down the playmaker enough to set the pace early and claim a much-needed win. One that would be undeniably steadying in what continues to shape up to be a shockingly tight NFC North race.
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