The National Football League’s strangest scoreboards usually start with a small mistake. A safety takes one step toward the quarterback, a linebacker loses the edge, a tired front misses one tackle. Running backs can turn that inch into the whole story. This week’s calls ask for a pileup of those moments, then one more.
One call leans on a back who can score in two phases in a primetime rivalry. Another needs Buffalo to keep feeding its explosive runner late, while the third turns a dependable touch load into a big total by adding catches against a stout run front. Three different routes – a red-zone barrage, a rushing explosion, and an all-purpose climb.
Here are this week’s bold running back predictions.
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Bijan Robinson scores 3+ rushing or receiving touchdowns against the Saints
Atlanta’s offense finally had a quarterback under center who made the defense honor the pass, and the result was room for Robinson to attack the second level instead of meeting a crowd at the handoff.
The Falcons used him 31 times in the 35-14 win over Green Bay: 29 carries, 19 receiving yards, 213 yards from scrimmage and two scores. Brian Robinson Jr. still played 19 snaps, so this isn’t a claim of a solo backfield.
Three touchdowns mean Atlanta has to finish a hefty share of its drives through him. That can happen on the ground, but his receiving role gives him another route when the Saints load up to stop the run. New Orleans is coming off a high-scoring game, and rookie defensive tackle Christen Miller’s status bears watching. Quarterback keepers, Drake London, and the tight ends can steal goal-line work.
The case is that a better-functioning Falcons offense creates enough scoring trips for Robinson’s two-way role to cash in three times. One more finish than last week’s two-score show, and it’s a Monday-night problem for New Orleans.
James Cook rushes for 175+ yards against the Patriots
Buffalo already showed what this call looks like when the game stays close – Cook pounding through the fourth quarter while the Bills tried to finish the job on the ground. Against the Chargers, he took 24 carries for 154 yards and a score, and 77 of those yards came on 11 carries in the final quarter.
Buffalo will be happy to hand him another closeout if the Patriots make this a four-quarter game.
175 still asks him to top his season high by 21 yards. He’s at 346 on 58 carries, a 6.0 average, but at that clip the threshold takes roughly 29 carries. At 24, he needs a 7.3 average. Those aren’t interchangeable freebies.
Buffalo has credited his blocking with 3.02 yards before contact per carry, which reflects useful creases, not a guarantee that New England will hand him open grass. Josh Allen can also finish drives with his legs. Cook needs both the volume he flashed last week and one or two runs that tilt the field.
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Jonathan Taylor gains 150+ scrimmage yards against the Commanders
Taylor’s touch count has been steadier than his production. He handled 25 touches against Houston last week but turned them into 72 yards, including only 68 on 23 carries. That’s the tension in this call. The volume is there, while Washington has been stuffing runs at a stingy rate.
Taylor has a way around the front if Daniel Jones uses him as the outlet, though. His Week 2 game against Kansas City included 40 receiving yards on four catches.
That gives Taylor two doors to 150. A better day on the ground, or a normal rushing line padded by a real receiving contribution. He’s at 325 scrimmage yards on the season, so the target asks for a big step up from his 108-yard pace. Washington has allowed 3.8 yards per carry and just held Seattle to 44 rushing yards last week, so its front has been doing more than simply stacking bodies.
Taylor’s Wednesday limited listing was for scheduled rest, not a reported injury, according to team coverage. If he’s in his usual role, Indianapolis can make its lead back the answer to a very difficult matchup.
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