The defensive ends will be a critical part of helping the New Orleans Saints stop Atlanta Falcons’ running back Bijan Robinson. When you think about containing a running back, you typically think of linebackers. Their job got more difficult with Demario Davis ruled out, but they’ll need the help of Carl Granderson and Chase Young.
Robinson likes to gets around the corner, and he’s extremely productive when he does. The running back has 196 yards on the season, and 155 of them are from runs outside the tackle. If you expand that range to Robinson’s career, he’s racked up 950 yards outside the tackle. Only Christian McCaffrey has more yardage since Robinson came to the NFL.
Robinson is looking to stretch the defense, and the play-side tackles are going to attempt to hook the defensive ends inside.
Granderson and Young are athletic players. If they can shed their blockers, they should do a good job turning Robinson back inwards. That’s where Willie Gay and Pete Werner should be to finish the play.
Continuing to force Robinson horizontal is also effective. Granderson and Young’s ability to keep Robinson from getting outside and down hill is key. If they can consistently force him to the sidelines or back towards hell then they’ve done their job.
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