{"id":703913,"date":"2026-01-25T12:52:37","date_gmt":"2026-01-25T12:52:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/703913\/"},"modified":"2026-01-25T12:52:37","modified_gmt":"2026-01-25T12:52:37","slug":"bijan-robinson-finalist-for-ap-opoty-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/703913\/","title":{"rendered":"Bijan Robinson finalist for AP OPOTY award"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jan. 22, 2026, 11:10 a.m. ET<\/p>\n

The Atlanta Falcons<\/a> had another forgettable season, but Bijan Robinson did his best to give the fans something to cheer about. The third-year running back led the NFL with 2,298 yards from scrimmage, finishing 162 yards ahead Christian McCaffrey.<\/p>\n

Robinson’s versatility was on display all season long as the Falcons struggled to find production from their wide receiver group. The former top-10 pick rushed for a career-high 1,478 yards and seven touchdowns, while adding 79 catches for another 820 receiving yards and four touchdowns.<\/p>\n

Atlanta’s offense never caught up to the defense in 2025, leading the team to make a change at head coach once the season ended. The Falcons fired Raheem Morris and hired former Cleveland Browns<\/a> head coach Kevin Stefanski to better maximize the team’s offensive talent, including Robinson.<\/p>\n

Robinson rushed for 22 more yards than he did in 2024, while averaging a career-best 5.1 yards per attempt. McCaffrey may be considered the favorite, but Robinson certainly has a case for the AP Offensive Player of the Year award.<\/p>\n

Robinson isn’t the only Falcons player in the mix for an award, though. James Pearce Jr. and Xavier Watts were among the finalists for the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year<\/a> award.<\/p>\n

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Pearce led all rookies with 10.5 sacks this season, while Watts led the class with five interceptions. Watts intercepted MVP favorite Matthew Stafford twice on Monday Night Football in Week 17. Pearce finished with the most sacks by a Falcons rookie in franchise history.<\/p>\n

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