Derrick Henry, the undisputed king of NFL running backs for what feels like forever, just dropped a bombshell: he thinks the Falcons’ Bijan Robinson is “the best in the game right now.” Yeah, you read that right. Henry, who rarely shies away from anything, told reporters ahead of the Week 5 matchup between the Falcons and Ravens, “He’s doing it all. I ain’t going to shy away from it. He’s doing a great job.” That’s high praise from one of the league’s all-time greats, and it tells you everything about the show Robinson is putting on.
Bijan’s Second Gear: From Slow Start to Unstoppable
Robinson is absolutely electric heading into Week 5, already sitting at 494 rushing yards, which is second most in the entire NFL. What’s wild is he had a relatively slow start to his 2026 campaign. We saw him held to under 85 rushing yards in both of Atlanta’s season-opening losses against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Carolina Panthers. But then something shifted big time. The Falcons got quarterback Michael Penix Jr. back in Week 3, and suddenly, Robinson unlocked a whole new gear. He’s since racked up a ridiculous 339 rushing yards and four touchdowns in back-to-back road wins against the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints. He’s riding a wave of momentum, and it looks like nothing can stop him.
Ravens’ Dilemma: Stop Bijan Without a Healthy Lamar?
Now, all eyes are on this Week 5 clash, especially with the Baltimore Ravens dealing with some major uncertainty. Their superstar QB, Lamar Jackson, is nursing an ankle injury. Ravens head coach Jesse Minter said he doesn’t expect the offensive game plan to change much if backup Tyler Huntley gets the start, but that’s a huge “if” when you’re facing a player like Robinson. Henry, meanwhile, has been holding down the fort, ranking fourth in the NFL with 374 rushing yards and playing the majority of Baltimore’s offensive snaps. The real chess match will be on the other side of the ball. Ravens defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver has already hinted at adjustments, saying it’s a possibility they’ll deploy three linebackers in specific packages just to try and limit Robinson. It’s clear they know what kind of freight train is coming.
Whether it’s Jackson or Huntley under center for the Ravens, both Henry and Robinson are expected to be the focal points for their respective teams when the Week 5 showdown kicks off Sunday at 8:20 p.m. ET in Atlanta. Can Robinson continue his incredible run and prove Henry right, or will the Ravens find a way to contain the league’s newest “best” running back? You won’t want to miss it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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