Sports
Bijan Robinson fuels Falcons in MNF win against Bills
-
Alaina Getzenberg
-
Marc Raimondi
Close
Marc Raimondi
ESPN Staff Writer
- Marc Raimondi’s first year covering the Falcons was 2024, but it wasn’t his first year at ESPN. He joined the company in 2019 and was a top combat sports reporter. He also covered professional wrestling and wrote the book “Say Hello to the Bad Guys: How Pro Wrestling’s New World Order Changed America,” which was published by Simon & Schuster in 2025. Raimondi also worked for the New York Post and Newsday, beginning in 2009, covering high school and college sports, plus the NFL, NFL, MLB and NHL.
ATLANTA — Michael Penix Jr. made all the plays necessary in his “Monday Night Football” debut and had plenty of help from running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London en route to the Atlanta Falcons beating the Buffalo Bills 24-14 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Penix, the second-year quarterback, was 20-of-32 for 250 yards passing and a touchdown. Robinson had 170 yards rushing, including an 81-yard touchdown run, and another 68 receiving. London had 10 catches for 158 yards and a touchdown. It was the second time Robinson and London each had 150 yards and a touchdown as teammates in their careers. They’re the only Falcons teammates to do it more than once since the 1970 merger, per ESPN Research.
Atlanta’s defense might have been even better than its offense. The Falcons forced the Bills into four three-and-outs, which was double Buffalo’s highest single-game total of the season coming in, and sacked quarterback Josh Allen four times.
Here are the most important things to know from Monday night for both teams:
0:22
Drake London steps out of bounds just before hitting pylon
Drake London appears to dive for a touchdown, but his foot lands out of bounds a yard short for the Falcons as time expires in the first half.
Is Robinson the leading contender for NFL Offensive Player of the Year? What Robinson has done early this season is remarkable. The third-year running back has more yards from scrimmage through five games than any other player in Falcons history. His 138 rushing yards at the half were the most by any player in the league after two quarters this season. Robinson came into the game leading the league with 146 yards from scrimmage per game — and then put up 238 on Monday night, the second-highest total in the league this season. Robinson is the second player to reach 450 rushing yards and 300 receiving yards through his first five games of a season in NFL history, joining Thurman Thomas in 1991, according to ESPN Research.
Trend to watch: The Falcons were without two of their top three wide receivers in Darnell Mooney (hamstring) and Ray-Ray McCloud III (healthy scratch). McCloud’s absence was a surprise. It forced the Falcons to rely heavily on two skill players: Bijan Robinson and Drake London, who combined for 89% of the team’s yardage in the first half and came in with the highest percentage of their team’s scrimmage yardage (57%) out of any duo in the NFL, according to ESPN Research.
Stat to know: The Falcons’ 335 yards in the first half were their most before halftime since 2009. For the first time in Falcons franchise history, the team had a running back and wide receiver — Robinson and London, respectively — eclipse the 100-yard mark in the first half. — Marc Raimondi
Next game: at San Francisco (8:20 p.m. ET, Oct. 19)
0:23
Bills comes up with a huge blocked field goal
Parker Romo goes to kick a field goal for Atlanta, but the Bills comes through with a big block.
The frustration was visible from quarterback Josh Allen, who pushed his helmet to the ground as he sat on the bench once again after failing to string together a drive in the middle of the fourth quarter.
The struggles persisted in Monday’s game at Atlanta as the Bills (4-2) suffered their second straight loss. Though the defense was sloppy and gave up too many yards, the offense failed to take advantage of opportunities. In the first half, the Bills punted on four straight drives, and though they scored a touchdown on their first drive of the second half, the spark didn’t linger. They turned the ball over on downs, giving the Falcons the ball back at their 47-yard line. And even when the Bills blocked a field goal attempt, the offense responded with back-to-back three-and-outs.
Allen finished the game 15-for-26 (57.7%) with 180 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 2 interceptions and 4 sacks. He also rushed for 42 yards on six carries. Tight end Dalton Kincaid (oblique) was inactive, and wide receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle) was injured in the first half and didn’t return. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady went away from running back James Cook III late in the game and did not use him on third downs despite Cook rushing for 87 yards on 17 carries.
After starting the season scoring 30-plus points in the first four games, the Bills’ offense has work to do.
Where does the Bills’ offense go from here? The question starts to become, do the Bills need to acquire help on on offense once again, albeit coming off a game against one of the league’s top defenses? Last season, the Bills traded for wide receiver Amari Cooper before the trade deadline, and the lack of support around Allen has led to that seeming like a possibility again. Allen was pressured on 47.1% of his dropbacks vs. the Falcons, the highest rate since the 2020 AFC Championship Game (47.4%). Right now, this is an offense searching for answers and help might be needed.
Trend to watch: Injuries. The Bills came into this game with two starters — linebacker Matt Milano (pectoral) and tight end Dalton Kincaid (oblique) — out because of injuries. Before the game, defensive tackle DaQuan Jones suffered a calf injury in warmups and was ruled out. Wide receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle) left the game in the first half, linebacker Terrel Bernard didn’t play in the second half because of an ankle injury, and safety Cole Bishop missed time in the second half because of cramping, but returned in the fourth quarter. The Bills have a bye this coming week, and it couldn’t come at a better time for much-needed rest.
Best quote out of the locker room: Left tackle Dion Dawkins on what he feels like needs to be done for the offense to be consistent: “I wish I had an answer, because I would’ve said it today. But no one knows. We just got to just keep playing hard and keep being us. Protect our guy, protect, play, catch, pass, block, do what we do well and we’ll be A-OK. It sucks to lose, but once again, it’s not the end. It’s not the end. Even though it might feel like it.”
Stat to know: The Falcons’ 335 first-half yards were the most that the Bills have allowed before halftime since 2001 (Week 2, at Indianapolis Colts). Missed tackles were a major theme for the Bills’ defense, especially in the first half, but the unit adjusted well in the second half. The Falcons were held to 8 net yards in the third quarter and 109 net yards in the fourth. — Alaina Getzenberg
Next game: at Carolina (1 p.m. ET, Oct. 26)
Ounahi gave Girona the lead before half-time, but Mbappe equalised from the penalty spot
French forward Kylian Mbappe earned Real Madrid a point from the penalty spot. Photo: AFP
BARCELONA:
Real Madrid were held to a third consecutive La Liga draw in a 1-1 tie at Girona on Sunday, allowing Barcelona to retain pole position.
Azzedine Ounahi fired the hosts into a surprise lead before half-time, with Kylian Mbappe earning Madrid a point from the penalty spot.
After Barcelona beat Alaves on Saturday to move top of the table, Madrid needed a victory at Girona to reclaim top spot but now sit second, a point behind the champions.
Earlier Alberto Moleiro helped Villarreal, third, move back ahead of fourth-place Atletico Madrid with a stoppage time winner in a 3-2 victory at Real Sociedad.
Real Madrid’s draw increases the pressure on Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, after recent rumours suggesting his future is insecure in the Madrid dugout.
“We are up there, it’s all very even, it’s a long season and we have to continue,” Alonso told reporters.
“I liked the reaction from the players. It was not enough to turn it around but we were close, and we have to continue with the unity we have, being self-critical enough, and wanting to win away from home.”
Madrid travel to face Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday for a fourth consecutive league match on the road, a game moved because of the club’s participation in the Spanish Super Cup in January.
“The table will be hard-fought, there will be lots of movement,” added Alonso.
Mbappe and Arda Guler fired off target for Madrid early on in a hotly-contested but scrappy clash, in front of a raucous home crowd.
French superstar Mbappe had a goal ruled out for handball moments before Morocco international Ounahi fired Girona ahead, rifling home from just inside the area to stun their illustrious visitors.
Catalan minnows Girona, 18th, have twice beaten Real Madrid at Montilivi since making their top flight debut in 2017 and for a while it looked like they were going to manage it again.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made a stunning save to tip away Vanat’s drive across goal before Los Blancos fought back.
After having a goal disallowed for offside Vinicius was clumsily felled in the box by Hugo Rincon.
Mbappe smashed the resulting penalty into the bottom left corner past Gazzaniga’s dive for his 14th La Liga goal of the campaign.
“Absolutely not the result we wanted tonight, but the league is still on and very long,” wrote Mbappe on social media network Instagram.
“We need to change this dynamic and show who we are as a team.”
Keeping the pressure on
Villarreal playmaker Moleiro netted twice in the second half of a thrilling game in San Sebastian.
Villarreal secured their fifth consecutive league win to stay firmly in the Spanish title fight.
Ayoze Perez sent the visitors ahead midway through the first half and teed up Moleiro for Villarreal’s second soon after the break.
Real Sociedad fought back strongly, with Carlos Soler netting on the hour mark.
The Basque side ramped up the pressure and levelled in the final stages through a spectacular Ander Barrenetxea free-kick.
However, Moleiro had the final say, firing home in the 95th minute to maintain his team’s momentum.
“We had that little bit of luck to get three very important points, as important as they were difficult (to get),” said Marcelino.
“To get 32 points out of a possible 42 to me seems a stunning achievement.”
Elsewhere, Real Betis claimed a 2-0 win at Sevilla in a fiery derby clash which was briefly suspended after home fans threw bottles onto the pitch.
The referee ordered players from the field in the 87th minute at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium, with the match resuming 15 minutes later as Betis held on to fifth place.
Star batsman Virat Kohli slammed a record-extending 52nd one-day international century, scoring 135 off 120 balls to lead India to a thrilling 17-run victory over a determined South Africa in the first ODI on Sunday at Ranchi.
Kohli shared a second-wicket partnership of 136 runs with fellow stalwart Rohit Sharma, setting India on course for a competitive 349-8.
South Africa’s number eight, Corbin Bosch, made a valiant 67 off 51 balls, keeping his team in contention until the final moments. Entering the 50th over, the visitors needed 18 runs with one wicket left, but Bosch fell on the second ball, leaving South Africa all out for 332.
Earlier, Matthew Breetzke (72) and Marco Jansen (70) had forged a fighting 97-run stand for the sixth wicket, reviving the chase after South Africa slipped to 11-3 and 77-4.
Kuldeep Yadav was the standout bowler for India, taking 4-68, including a crucial double strike to dismiss Jansen and Breetzke in just three balls—a turning point in the match that helped India secure a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Kohli, now 37, raised his 83rd international century across all three formats with a boundary off Jansen, celebrating with the raucous home crowd.
“If you’ve played over 300 games and so much cricket, you know your reflexes and physical ability are there to bat long,” said Kohli, the player of the match.
“As long as you’re hitting the ball well and playing good cricket, it’s about being physically fit, mentally ready, and excited.”
Kohli mania
An enthusiastic Indian fan breached security and ran onto the field to touch Virat Kohli’s feet before being restrained.
Kohli now holds the record for the most ODI hundreds, with Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar second with 49.
In a single format, he also leads the list, while Tendulkar’s 51 hundreds came in Tests.
Kohli and 38-year-old Rohit Sharma, who scored 57, now only play ODIs after retiring from T20s and Tests.
Their presence strengthened India, led by KL Rahul in the absence of the injured Shubman Gill, following a 2-0 Test series whitewash against South Africa.
Rohit lost fellow opener Yashasvi Jaiswal early for 18, but Kohli walked in to a roar from a 38,000-strong crowd.
The pair steadied the innings before Rohit was trapped lbw by Marco Jansen.
Rohit hit three sixes in his 51-ball knock, taking his total to 352 sixes in ODIs, surpassing Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi (351).
Kohli accelerated after reaching his first century since February, hitting off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen for two fours and two sixes in the 39th over, scoring 21 runs. He eventually fell to Nandre Burger, caught by Ryan Rickelton, after hitting 11 fours and seven sixes.
KL Rahul contributed 60 off 56 balls, while Ravindra Jadeja added 32 off 20.
Corbin Bosch recorded his first ODI half-century, keeping South Africa in the contest, making the series opener an exciting match ahead of the second ODI in Raipur on Wednesday.
“Great to sit in the change room and watch the guys do their thing,” said stand-in skipper Aiden Markram. “Never losing the belief that we can pull off a rabbit from the hat.”
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The Denver Broncos and Washington Commanders’ matchup on Sunday featured several great plays, but the most impactful came in overtime.
It didn’t take long for the Broncos to score. Bo Nix made four completions, including a 41-yard pass to Evan Engram, and then handed the ball off to running back RJ Harvey, who scored from five yards out to take a 27-20 lead.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey celebrates after scoring during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota created some late-game heroics. He found Deebo Samuel on 3rd-and-14 for a 38-yard gain. He connected with Terry McLaurin to bring the game to within one point. With nothing to lose, the Commanders decided to go for two and the win. Mariota dropped back to pass and his attempt to Jeremy McNichols was blocked by Broncos pass rusher Nik Bonitto.
The Broncos won the game, 27-26.
Nix finished 29-of-45 for 321 yards and a touchdown pass. Harvey had 35 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Harvey and Bonito’s overtime heroics were just two of a handful of great plays made during the game.
Nix did his best to pull out all the stops. He helped put Denver ahead before halftime when he threw a touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton as he was falling to the ground. He avoided the rush and his calf was about to hit the ground before he fired the ball to Sutton in the end zone.
Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton (49) breaks up a pass intended for Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (86) in the fourth quarter of the game at Northwest Stadium on Nov. 30, 2025. (Geoff Burke/Imagn Images)
BRONCOS’ BO NIX THROWS TD PASS WHILE FALLING TO GROUND IN STUNNING PLAY
Commanders wide receiver Treylon Burks likely said, “Watch this,” before he made his sensation play. Burks received a pass from Mariota in the end zone. He, somehow, made a one-handed catch for a crucial go-ahead touchdown.
It was Burks’ second career touchdown catch and it was one that the Commanders really needed.
Mariota was trying to keep the drive alive with under four minutes to go in the game. He found tight end Zach Ertz open in the middle of the field. The ball was thrown high and Ertz was able to grab the pass and bring it down.
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (36) celebrates after scoring during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass from quarterback Bo Nix, right, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
But just as he was going to secure the catch, Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton knocked the ball loose and the pass was incomplete. Washington punted the ball away.
Singleton was playing in his first game since he underwent testicular cancer surgery three weeks ago. It was a big play, but it came just a few minutes too early as Mariota would lead the Commanders down the field to tie the game.
Mariota played as well as one could play in a hard-fought game. He was 28-of-50 with 294 passing yards and two touchdown passes. He also had 55 yards on the ground.
Bundle FOX One and FOX Nation to stream the entire FOX Nation library, plus live FOX News, Sports, and Entertainment at our lowest price of the year. The offer ends on Jan. 4, 2026. (Fox One; Fox Nation)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Ertz finished with 10 catches for 106 yards. McLaurin had seven catches for 96 yards.
Denver improved to 10-2 with the win and have won nine straight games. Washington fell to 3-9.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Mielle becomes NFL’s first textured haircare partner
Peel Hunt cheers ‘positive steps’ in Budget to boost London market and investing
India’s logistics push puts fashion in the fast lane
-
Sports1 week agoWATCH: Ronaldo scores spectacular bicycle kick
-
Entertainment1 week agoWelcome to Derry’ episode 5 delivers shocking twist
-
Politics1 week agoWashington and Kyiv Stress Any Peace Deal Must Fully Respect Ukraine’s Sovereignty
-
Business1 week agoKey economic data and trends that will shape Rachel Reeves’ Budget
-
Tech6 days agoWake Up—the Best Black Friday Mattress Sales Are Here
-
Politics1 week ago53,000 Sikhs vote in Ottawa Khalistan Referendum amid Carney-Modi trade talks scrutiny
-
Fashion1 week agoCanada’s Lululemon unveils team Canada kit for Milano Cortina 2026
-
Tech6 days agoThe Alienware Aurora Gaming Desktop Punches Above Its Weight