For the Houston Texans, Week 8 against the 49ers feels like a moment to reassert a defensive identity -- one built around speed and disruption.
For head coach DeMeco Ryans, no player embodies the mantra more than third-year edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. He’s the heartbeat of Houston’s front, a player who can single-handedly change the tempo of a game with his explosiveness and motor off the edge.
And against a 49ers offense riddled with injuries, Anderson could be the one to flip a matchup entirely on its head.
For San Fran, Brock Purdy remains out, leaving Mac Jones -- a capable but limited pocket passer -- to handle the controls. On top of that, San Francisco will be without receiver Ricky Pearsall, once again, removing one of their key route runners and timing threats.
That combination of circumstances makes the game ripe for a defensive takeover, and Anderson is exactly the kind of player who can put signal-callers on their backside if given the opportunity.
What separates the former top three pick in Anderson is how complete his game already is. He’s not just a speed rusher -- though his burst off the line is elite -- but also someone who wins with hand violence, leverage, and a deep understanding of rush angles.
At Alabama, he dominated with raw power and twitch. In Houston, under Ryans, he’s refined that explosiveness into controlled chaos, learning when to bend the edge and when to collapse the pocket with inside counters.
Against Jones, that matters.
The 49ers signal-caller does his best work when protected and able to stay in rhythm, but his lack of mobility makes him susceptible to consistent pressure. If Houston’s secondary -- led by Derek Stingley Jr. -- can hold coverage on the perimeter, it will alllow Anderson and the front four extra time to get home.
The 49ers’ offensive tackles have struggled in spurts this season, and with their timing-based offense missing key weapons, Anderson could dictate the flow by forcing hurried throws and collapsing pockets.
For the Texans, Anderson is more than just a pass rusher -- he’s a tone-setter. His ability to impact both the run and the pass allows Ryans to stay aggressive with his calls, knowing he has a playmaker capable of wrecking drives on his own.
He plays every snap like his hair is on fire, combining technique and effort in a way that makes him one of the most dangerous young defenders in football who has already amassed 35 pressures and four sacks this fall.
If the Texans eye a notch in the win column to build momentum in the AFC, it’s likely to be on the back of a defensive effort that begins with No. 51.
Anderson has the tools to flip this game on its head -- not just with splash plays, but by dictating the pace, forcing turnovers, and making life miserable for the San Francisco offense.