Bijan Robinson runs for 145 yards, 2 TDs; Falcons crush Saints 45-24 on 20th anniversary of Superdome's reopening

Bijan Robinson runs for 145 yards, 2 TDs; Falcons crush Saints 45-24 on 20th anniversary of Superdome's reopening

● Robinson scores on 59-yard run just three plays into the game
● Falcons never trail, dominate on the ground 205-50 yards

Bijan Robinson ensured there would be no punt to block this time — and the Atlanta Falcons were off and running. Robinson rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns, starting with a 59-yard scoring run on Atlanta's third play, as the Falcons routed the New Orleans Saints 45-24 on Monday night, dampening celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the Superdome's reopening after Hurricane Katrina.

"For it to come after that third play was pretty special," Robinson said. "We just went back to the sideline and said, 'That's what we talked about — make sure that we put it on them early so the crowd doesn't become an issue.'"

Brian Robinson Jr. added three short touchdowns for the Falcons (2-2), who controlled the line of scrimmage throughout, outgaining New Orleans on the ground 205 yards to 50. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. went 15 of 20 for 223 yards and a touchdown, including a 31-yard strike to Jahan Dotson that sent Saints fans toward the exits.

Saints QB Tyler Shough, who threw for 286 yards and a late touchdown, didn't blame fans for booing. "You're playing the Falcons and you lose like that? I'd boo, too," he said.

Alvin Kamara scored his first two touchdowns of the season for New Orleans, but it wasn't enough. "We're all frustrated, all disappointed with where we're at," said coach Kellen Moore.