Atlanta Falcons RB Bijan Robinson etched his name into the fantasy football history books during the team’s 27-24 Week 17 Monday Night Football upset win against the Los Angeles Rams, going for 229 total yards (195 rushing, 34 receiving) and two touchdowns.
With the fantasy season culminating in Week 17 for several leagues across the country, Robinson’s performance was a seismic event that reshaped outcomes for managers. The dazzling performance totaled out to 39.9 fantasy points in standard PPR scoring formats.
The game itself was a thriller, with the underdog Falcons edging out the Rams in a contest that featured dramatic swings and historic feats. Robinson had a night full of highlight-reel plays, including a jaw-dropping 93-yard touchdown scamper just before halftime that blew the game open.
As the final whistle blew, the ripple effects were felt far beyond Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Fantasy managers who had drafted Robinson with one of the top picks found themselves hoisting virtual trophies and flooding the group chats with OMGs for days.
On the other hand, those facing him in championship matchups were left reeling. Social media erupted with tales of triumph and heartbreak, highlighting how a single MNF performance can turn the tide in a season-long battle.
The Breakdown of Bijan’s Historic Night
Diving deeper into the stats, Robinson’s efficiency was off the charts. His 195 rushing yards came at an average of 8.9 yards per carry, with the 93-yard touchdown serving as the centerpiece. Robinson forced eight missed tackles and generated 114 yards after contact in the first half alone, dismantling a Rams run-D that was ranked amongst the best this season.
The 93-yard run alone accounted for 15.3 fantasy points, but his all-around involvement amplified the impact. Five catches out of the backfield are always welcomed, but he also added a receiving TD to push his PPR total to that eye-popping 39.9.
His performance built on a strong fantasy playoff run, where he averaged over 22 PPR points per game in recent weeks, including multiple outings with 25+ points.
Late in the game, with the Falcons milking the clock for a field goal attempt, backup RB Tyler Allgeier saw carries that frustrated some fantasy owners needing just one more Bijan touch. Overall, fantasy managers couldn’t have asked for much more.
How Bijan’s Performance Swung Fantasy Championships
Across the nation, Robinson’s eruption directly influenced championship outcomes in profound ways. For those who rostered him, it was often the difference-maker: one manager shared how Robinson’s 37.9 points (in a slight scoring variant) overcame four underperforming starters to secure back-to-back titles. Bettors cashed in big too, with props like 2+ touchdowns at +320 and 155+ rushing yards at +1250 hitting thanks to his dominance.
On the flip side, opponents faced devastation. Stories flooded platforms of near-misses, like a league where a single point separated victory from defeat after Robinson’s late scores. Others lamented losing the title solely due to that 93-yard dagger, turning a winnable matchup into a rout.
With Robinson finishing as the top scorer from MNF, his output wreaked havoc, flipping scripts in leagues where managers had banked on Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford’s steady play, to only have those rare interceptions compound the misery.
This just shows the cruel beauty that fantasy football brings into our lives. A player projected for 15-20 points delivers double, and suddenly, seasons are made or broken. Robinson’s performance made him a championship-week hero for many, and ultimately validating the preseason hype.
Looking Back to Todd Gurley Winning Fantasy Football Championship Week in 2017
Robinson’s performance got me thinking back to one of the best championship week performances we have ever seen. The immediate one that comes to mind is the one that helped me the most.
Los Angeles Rams RB Todd Gurley went bananas against the Tennessee Titans in 2017, racking up 118 rushing yards, 158 receiving yards on 10 catches, and two TDs for a whopping 49.6 PPR points.
Gurley’s back-to-back monster outings (including 43.0 the prior week) carried countless teams to glory, setting a then-record for running backs in playoff weeks and earning him MVP honors in many leagues.
Although, they weren’t in championship week, there were other big performances from guys like LeSean McCoy (217 total yards, 2 TDs in 2013), Jamaal Charles (205 total yards, 5 TDs in 2015), and Alvin Kamara (155 rushing yards, 6 TDs in 2020) during the fantasy playoffs late in the season.
Sometimes, all it takes is one guy to swing things in your favor – or ruin your season all in one shot.
Related Posts
