ATLANTA (Interstat) — Bijan Robinson rushed for 170 yards and a touchdown and the Atlanta Falcons’ defense stymied Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in a 24-14 victory on Monday night at a raucous Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

A crowd of 72,067 watched as the Falcons, leaning on a dominant ground game and a relentless pass rush, improved to 3-2, while the Bills fell to 4-2.

The game was a tale of two halves defined by explosive plays and stifling defense. The first quarter was a frantic shootout, with both teams finding the end zone twice. Atlanta struck first, capping an opening drive with a 21-yard touchdown run by Tyler Allgeier.

Buffalo answered immediately, with Allen engineering a methodical drive that ended with a 19-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dawson Knox, tying the game at 7-7.

The Falcons responded with a drive of their own, showcasing the connection between quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and receiver Drake London. Penix found London for a 9-yard score to tie the game at 14-14 as the first quarter ended.

The momentum shifted decisively in the second quarter. After forcing a Buffalo punt, the Falcons took over deep in their own territory. On the second play of the drive, Robinson took a handoff to the right, found a seam and exploded for an 81-yard touchdown run, giving Atlanta a 21-14 lead it would not relinquish.

From that point, the Falcons’ defense took over. The unit harassed Allen all night, sacking him four times with tackles Sam Roberts, David Onyemata, Ruke Orhorhoro and Dee Alford each recording one. Alford also came up with a critical interception just before halftime, halting a potential Bills scoring drive.

Penix, the Tampa, Florida, native, managed the game effectively, completing 20 of 32 passes for 250 yards and a touchdown. His favorite target was London, who had a monster performance with 10 receptions for 158 yards and a score.

Allen, from Firebaugh, California, was held to 15-of-26 passing for 180 yards, though he did account for both Buffalo touchdowns through the air and added 42 yards on the ground. The Bills’ running game, led by James Cook III’s 87 yards, found some success but was ultimately undone by negative plays and the Falcons’ defensive pressure.

After a third-quarter touchdown pass from Allen to Ray Davis brought the Bills within a score at 21-14, the Falcons’ defense slammed the door. They shut out Buffalo in the fourth quarter, and a 33-yard field goal from Parker Romo with 1:43 remaining provided the final margin.

The Bills had one last chance, driving to the Atlanta 16-yard line in the final minute, but Allen’s pass was intercepted by Falcons linebacker DeAngelo Malone to seal the victory.

The Falcons’ defense was a swarm all evening, with Alford leading the way with seven tackles, a sack and an interception. Safety Jessie Bates III and cornerback Mike Hughes were also in on a host of stops.

For Buffalo, linebacker Shaq Thompson registered a game-high 10 tackles in the losing effort.

The Falcons, who were pregame favorites, next travel to face the San Francisco 49ers. The Bills will look to rebound on the road against the Carolina Panthers.