Latest news with #WillAndersonJr
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. breaks down infamous Patrick Mahomes 'flop' in playoff loss
Six months ago, Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. made headlines in the divisional round against the Kansas City Chiefs for a hit that seemed to favor the NFL's poster boy. Now, he's telling his side of the story. In an interview on the Ross Tucker Podcast, Anderson confirmed suspicions that plagued Texans fans in Arrowhead Stadium, stating his hit on MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes during the first quarter was clean. "I hit his chest, I hit his chest, but I just got to be better," Anderson told Tucker. "Me and my coach and talked about it. We've got to be better just when it comes to how you hit the quarterback and we got to drill it more and stuff like that." On the second drive of the game, the Texans were trying to force a quick three-and-out. On third-and-8, Anderson brushed over Mahomes' chest as he released the pass, which should have resulted in a punt. Instead, Anderson was flagged with a roughing the passer call, which tacked on 15 yards and placed Kansas City in Houston territory. "I don't even know if you touched him or not, dude, he snapped his head back like he got whiplash in a car accident going 70 miles an hour," Anderson said. The hit eventually led to a scoring drive and a 23-14 loss, though it wasn't even the most egregious call of the afternoon. Houston mounted a comeback, bringing the game within one entering the fourth quarter. On another third down, Mahomes scrambled for a first down and began to slide to avoid contact from defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi and linebacker Henry To'oTo'o. The two Texans ended up colliding with each other, nearly knocking each other out of the game, but officials instead called it an unnecessary roughness penalty, tacking on 15 yards and a first down, which led to the eventual game-winning touchdown pass to tight end Travis Kelce several plays later. "I think it's for everybody's these runners are running, quarterbacks are running and for defensive players, how are we fixing the safety on both sides of the ball to make the game safer for everyone," Anderson said. "But like I said: we've got to do a better job defensively of how we are attacking our tackling and stuff like... our head placement. We'll work on it this offseason and get it fixed." As Anderson put it, officials are looking to protect quarterbacks rather than focusing on proper plays. Everything must come down to an exact science to avoid the flag from the zebras. "You've got to be perfect in the playoffs," Anderson said. This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. shares thoughs on playoff 'Mahomes flop'
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
51 days until the Texans' 2025 season opener: Who has worn No.51
The Houston Texans are less than 100 days away from kicking off the 2025 season in Los Angeles against the Rams at SoFi Stadium and we're counting down the days until a victory ensues on the west coast. Texans Wire will each day tell you which player has worn the number of the day leading up to kickoff and pick the player who ensured the number best during their time at NRG Stadium. As for today, let's take a look at who has worn No. 51 since the inaugural season in 2002. Texans players to wear No. 51 No. 51 currently belongs to third-year Pro Bowl defensive end Will Anderson Jr. After a breakout Defensive Rookie o the Year campaign in 2023, Anderson took control in Year 2 under DeMeco Ryans, totaling career-highs in sacks (11), tackles for loss (16), pressures (43) and starts (14). The Texans know that with another year of similar production, Anderson will be expensive entering an offseason worth an extension. He's expected to be the face of the defense long-term and a foundation for Ryans' defense as the opposite of C.J. Stroud on offense. Two seasons into his tenure with the Texans, Anderson has been better than advertised. Does that make Anderson the G.O.A.T. of No. 51 after just two years? Best Player: Will Anderson Jr. Is it crazy to have a player who's still on his rookie contract considered the G.O.A.T.? In some ways, yes, but Anderson is one of three players to win Defensive Rookie of the Year in franchise history. He also stepped up in several signature games that catapulted Houston from bottom-dweller to potential AFC threat. During his rookie season, Anderson's two second-half sacks against the Denver Broncos guaranteed the Texans would finish with a .500 record or better. He also secured a sack on third-and-long against the Cleveland Browns, signaling a win in the wild-card round at home. In 2024, Anderson notched his first three-sack game of his career against the New England Patriots. He also posted 3.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss in the playoffs, including two third-down stops against Justin Herbert in the wild-card round. His ability to pressure quarterback has also led to a slew of interceptions for a secondary that finished top-five in turnovers. While the Texans' second-year star is still coming into his own, his 18.5 sacks mark the second-most for a defensive end over two years in franchise history. General manager Nick Caserio isn't planning on cutting ties with Anderson after his deal expires in 2027. Expect Houston to ensure that the Terminator isn't leaving Area 51 or NRG Stadium anytime soon.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texans' Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. Ranked Among Best Pass-Rush Duos Entering 2025 Season
Texans' Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. Ranked Among Best Pass-Rush Duos Entering 2025 Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Entering the 2025 season, the Houston Texans are expected to have one of the most elite defenses in the NFL. This includes a talented secondary and front seven that should wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks. Advertisement Leading that front seven are defensive ends Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., who recently checked in at No. 2 in a Bleacher Report ranking of the best pass-rush duos entering 2025. "This duo has only worked together for one season, but they made one hell of an impact together last year." Bleacher Report's Matt Holder wrote. "Hunter finished tied for fifth in the NFL with 12 sacks while Anderson was tied for 10th with 11, making the Houston Texans one of two teams to have two players finish in the top 10 for sacks." Holder also applauded Hunter and Anderson's ability to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Advertisement "According to Pro Football Focus, the nine-year veteran [Hunter] ranked seventh among edge-rushers with 66 pressures during the 2024 regular season, while the second-year pro wasn't far behind him, finishing 25th with 51." Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) and defensive end Danielle Hunter (55) attempt to sack Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18)Troy Taormina-Imagn Images "That's a big reason both finished with a top 25 PFF pass-rush grade: 80.7 and 14th for Hunter, 75.9 and 24th for Anderson." Holder wrote. With head coach DeMeco Ryans at the helm the past two seasons, the Texans front seven has made massive strides. After finishing the 2022 season with 39 sacks, Houston registered 46 in 2023 and tied for fourth in the league with 49 last year. Advertisement Hunter and Anderson aren't the only ones contributing. "Mix that in with Denico Autry (62 career sacks in 11 seasons) and Sheldon Rankins (30.5 sacks in nine seasons) off the bench, and Houston's defense has a chance to be one of the best in the league this season." Related: Texans Legend J.J. Watt Catches Attention with Major Announcement Related: Texans Announce Full Training Camp Schedule This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Analyzing pass-rushing in the AFC South
Much like the pass-protection of the AFC South, the pass-rush leaves a bit to be desired. The Texans aside, the pass-rush of the other three teams last season were very weak, all ranking near the bottom of the league in pressure rate and sacks. Let's take a look at pass-rushing in the AFC South. Advertisement Houston Texans Few were better than the Houston Texans at rushing the passer last season. The combination of Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr accounted for 148 pressures and 23 sacks last season. Hunter actually led the NFL in pressures, while Anderson finished tied for 17th according to Next Gen Stats. Tim Settle added another five sacks himself along the interior as did Derek Barnett, Houston's rotational pass-rusher. In total, the Texans racked up 241 pressures and 49 sacks, ranking second in pressure rate (37.8%) and fourth in sack rate (7.7%). Indianapolis Colts It's a steep fall off after the Houston Texans. While the Texans were near the top of the league, the Colts managed just 193 pressures and 36 sacks sacks on the season. The team's 31.4% pressure rate ranked 26th, while their 5.9% sack rate ranked only slightly better at 23rd. Advertisement Unlike the Texans or Jaguars, the Colts lack a true pass-rush specialist and rather have a pressure by committee. Even more so now after the loss of Dayo Odeyingbo, their top pass-rusher from last season. It's up to second-year Laiatu Latu to take a sophomore leap. Tennessee Titans Statistically, the Titans and Colts are very similar teams when it comes to rushing the passer. The Titans tallied 170 pressures and 32 sacks, notching a 31.1% pressure rate (27th) and a 5.9% sack rate (24th). Also similarly to the Colts, the Titans lost their best pass-rusher in Harold Landry, who led the team with nine sacks. The Titans does retain Jeffrey Simmons, their dominant interior defender, so the team will look to lean on him even more this coming season. Advertisement Jacksonville Jaguars It's strange finding the Jaguars 30th in pressure rate (28.3%) and sack rate (5.2%), despite boasting two top-15 edge rushes from last season. In fact, the Jaguars were the only team to have two players inside the NFL's Top-15 for most pressures. Despite Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker's best efforts, it simply wasn't enough. The Jaguars interior pass-rush and averseness to blitzing left Hines-Allen and Walker on their own to create pressure far too often. With the addition of Emmanuel Ogbah, and some reshuffling along the defensive line, there's no reason to ever see the Jaguars this low again. Pass-rushing in AFC South >>> STREAM ACTION SPORTS JAX 24/7 LIVE <<< Advertisement [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action Sports Jax 24/7 live.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texans' Will Anderson Jr. Among Favorites to Win First NFL Sack Title in 2025
Texans' Will Anderson Jr. Among Favorites to Win First NFL Sack Title in 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Since beginning play as an expansion team in 2002, J.J. Watt is the only Houston Texans player to win a NFL sack title. Advertisement Watt accomplished the feat twice, the first coming in 2012 when he recorded 20.5 sacks, and the most recent in 2015, finishing with 17.5 sacks. Texans third-year defensive end Will Anderson Jr. could very well join Watt this season as a sack king. In a recent article, Bleacher Report's Alex Kay believes Anderson Jr. is among five defenders that could win their first sack title in 2025. "Although he played the same 63 percent of defensive snaps in 2024 that he did the prior season and appeared in one fewer contest due to injury, Anderson upped his sack count to 11—entering the top 10 in that category for the first of what is likely to be many times in his career." Kay wrote. Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) celebrates with defensive tackle Tim Settle Jr. (98) after a sackBrian Fluharty-Imagn Images Selected No. 3 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft behind Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, Anderson Jr. registered seven sacks his rookie season. After upping his total in 2024, Kay believes his sack numbers could increase this fall. Advertisement "On the heels of earning an immensely impressive 85.1 grade from Pro Football Focus—ranking No. 10 out of 211 qualifying edge-rushers in 2024—Anderson could see a massive spike in his sack numbers by staying healthy and further building out his pass-rushing arsenal." According to Next Gen Stats, Anderson Jr. led the NFL with a 3.7% sack rate per pass rush last season. Of course it helps that the Texans have another sack machine in Danielle Hunter, who led the team with 12 sacks last season, and should draw some of the attention off Anderson in 2025. "With Hunter helping keep opposing offensive linemen honest, Anderson looks poised to break out and get serious Defensive Player of the Year buzz in 2025." Related: Following Nick Chubb Addition, Texans Rookie 'Under Pressure' Entering Training Camp Related: Texans Legend J.J. Watt Puts End to Comeback Talk, Excited to Begin New Role This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
