Many Houston Texans fans were stunned when Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. weren’t sure-fire Pro Bowlers after setting records during the 2024 season.
Apparently, so was Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh following Houston’s 32-12 win in Saturday’s wild-card round.
Anderson, Hunter and a quartet of defensive linemen made life hell for Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert at NRG Stadium. Whenever he ran right, there was Hunter.
Whenever he went to the left, there was Anderson.
Even up the middle Foley Fatukasi and Mario Edwards Jr. forced stops and ill-advised throws to coverage. Herbert finished the after with four interceptions, including one returned for a 38-yard touchdown by Eric Murray.
➖#Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh postgame mentions #Texans DE Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. when asked about the challenges upfront
🗣️ “The Edge pressure those are really the best, the best we’ve seen. The pressure on the edge, the pass rush was outstanding.”
🃏 Wild Card •… pic.twitter.com/54WKU4Y2yd
— sidelinesarah (@sidelinesarah) January 12, 2025
“[Herbert’s] gotta be able to finish his throwing motion,” Harbaugh told reporters. “We didn’t put him in the position to do that enough. The edge pressure was the best we’ve seen. Pressure on the edge—the pass rush—was outstanding.”
The Texans recorded four sacks and seven tackles for loss. According to Pro Football Focus, Hebert was pressured 11 times through three quarters, five of which were unblocked, resulting in half of the turnovers.
“They did a good job,” Herbert said. “That is on us to be able to execute and handle that. I think we did a poor job of handling the pressure and I have to find the quick outs, throw the ball away and do a better job at protecting the ball.”
➖#Chargers QB Justin Herbert postgame was asked about the 4th and 2 that ended with a turnover on downs by the #Texans defense
🗣️ “..It was fourth and short. You know, we thought we could get him [CB Derek Stingley Jr.] with a route like that. Q’s been good with those routes… pic.twitter.com/zHvlGsKgWb
— sidelinesarah (@sidelinesarah) January 13, 2025
Hunter (12.0) and Anderson (11.5) finished top 10 in sacks and tackles for loss. The duo also headlined a defense that recorded a franchise record 49 sacks during the regular season.
Houston hits the road to take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Round on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
The game will be nationally televised on ESPN and ABC.
