Falcons RB Bijan Robinson minimally utilized in 16-13 victory against Buccaneers due to evident illness

Younghoe Koo's 51-yard field goal secured a 16-13 victory for the Atlanta Falcons over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In a thrilling matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it was Younghoe Koo who emerged as the hero. With just seconds remaining on the clock, Koo confidently stepped up and nailed a 51-yard field goal, securing a crucial victory for the Falcons.

However, the game was not without its share of surprises and mysteries. One such puzzle was the absence of Falcons rookie running back Bijan Robinson. Despite being a key player for the team, Robinson saw limited action, only appearing in three snaps during the first three drives of the game. Fans were left perplexed as to why Robinson, who was not listed on the injury report, was not on the field.

At halftime, Falcons head coach Arthur Smith shed some light on the situation, revealing that Robinson simply "wasn't feeling all that great." The exact nature of his condition remains unknown, but it was evidently serious enough to keep him sidelined for the game.

Robinson's absence was a significant blow for the Falcons. Prior to this game, he had been heavily involved in the team's offense, playing in 72% of offensive snaps. He had amassed impressive stats, with 401 rushing yards on 80 carries and 189 receiving yards with two touchdowns on 26 catches.

Not only did Robinson's absence impact the Falcons' performance, but it also had implications in the world of fantasy football. He was a popular choice among fantasy owners, starting in 99% of Yahoo Sports leagues. As the consensus No. 10 running back, he was projected to score close to 15 points in 0.5 PPR scoring leagues.

Despite the setback, the Falcons put up a strong fight against the Buccaneers. The game was evenly matched, with both teams tied at 10-10 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Falcons briefly took the lead after Koo successfully kicked a 41-yard field goal.

In the fourth quarter, Falcons quarterback Ridder led an impressive drive, marching the team down the field. It seemed as though Ridder himself would secure a touchdown with a 12-yard run, which would have given the Falcons a comfortable lead. However, just before crossing the goal line, Ridder fumbled the ball, resulting in a touchback for the Buccaneers after a review. This marked Ridder's third fumble of the game, all of which occurred in the red zone.

The Buccaneers capitalized on the opportunity and tied the game with a 36-yard field goal following a 31-yard run by quarterback Baker Mayfield. With the game hanging in the balance, it was Koo who once again stepped up to the plate. With nerves of steel, he delivered a game-winning 51-yard field goal as time expired, securing the victory for the Falcons.

Mayfield had a solid performance for the Buccaneers, completing 27 of 42 passes for 275 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. Rachaad White contributed 34 rushing yards on 13 carries and added another 65 yards on six catches. Mike Evans finished the game with 82 receiving yards and a touchdown.

On the Falcons' side, Ridder had a commendable performance, going 19 of 25 for 250 yards. He also scored the team's only touchdown with a 2-yard rush in the first quarter. Without Robinson, Tyler Allgeier took charge of the ground game, gaining 59 yards on 21 carries. Cordarrelle Patterson also made an impact with 56 yards on 10 carries. Drake London stood out in the receiving game, accumulating 54 yards on six catches.

The victory against the Buccaneers marks the Falcons' second win in their last three games. They will now turn their attention to the Tennessee Titans, whom they will face next week in Nashville.

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