The Houston Texans' defensive line, particularly defensive ends Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, has been under scrutiny by fans who expected a surge in sack numbers this season. After all, Anderson Jr. was the No. 2 overall draft pick and claimed Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2023, while Hunter posted an impressive 16.5 sacks last season with the Minnesota Vikings. But while the sack numbers may not be as gaudy as some hoped, the reality is that the Texans' defensive line is performing at a very high level—just not in the way most fans are measuring success.
Understanding Fan Expectations
It’s easy to see why expectations are high. Anderson Jr.’s pedigree and last year’s performance painted him as a future sack artist, while Hunter was expected to bring veteran leadership and proven production. Fans see these two forces on the edge and understandably want to see them dominate the stat sheet.
However, the issue here is that sacks are only one part of the equation. In DeMeco Ryans' defensive system, the emphasis isn’t always on individual sack numbers. The game plan frequently prioritizes containment, pressure, and forcing quarterbacks into mistakes rather than just focusing on bringing them down for the loss.
DeMeco Ryans’ Defensive Gameplans Are Key
DeMeco Ryans himself has been consistent in post-game interviews and press conferences, stressing that he is pleased with how the defensive line is performing. The reason? They are executing the game plan.
A perfect example of this came last week against the Buffalo Bills. While the Texans recorded just one sack—by interior lineman Khalil Davis—the defensive ends played a crucial role in frustrating Josh Allen. The Texans' strategy wasn’t about bringing Allen down but about forcing him into uncomfortable situations. The plan called for the defensive ends to flush Allen to his right, disrupting his rhythm and cutting off his downfield options. This worked brilliantly, resulting in Allen completing just 9 of 30 passes—one of the worst outings of his career.
A Selfless Defensive Mindset
One thing fans need to appreciate is that this defensive line has bought into a selfless mindset. In football, it's easy for pass rushers to chase personal glory by going off-script to pad their sack numbers. But as we saw against Buffalo, such moves could harm the team’s coordinated rush effort. Ryans' system emphasizes team success over individual stats. Sacks are great, but forcing a top-tier quarterback like Allen into mistakes and bad throws is even more valuable.
Texans’ Pressure Numbers Tell a Different Story
Another common frustration is the perceived lack of pressure. But here's the thing: the Texans actually lead the NFL in pressure rate. According to Next Gen Stats, the Texans generate pressure on an astounding 42% of snaps, the highest in the entire league.
So why aren’t the sack numbers higher? Sack totals tend to come in bunches throughout the season, depending on matchups. For example, the Texans collected 7 of their 15 total sacks in just one game against the Chicago Bears. Currently, they are tied for 9th in the NFL with 15 sacks. By comparison, the New York Giants lead the league with 22 sacks—not a huge disparity.
What to Expect Going Forward
This week’s matchup against the New England Patriots could be a turning point for the Texans' defensive line, at least in terms of satisfying the desire for sacks. The Patriots have allowed a 48.3% pressure rate, the worst in the league. This presents a major mismatch that could result in a “stat-padding” game for the Texans' pass rushers. Don’t be surprised if Anderson Jr., Hunter, and company put up big sack numbers, easing the fanbase’s concerns and highlighting their true potential.
Conclusion
While the sack numbers aren’t eye-popping right now, the Texans' defensive line is far from underperforming. They’re playing smart, team-oriented football under DeMeco Ryans, executing his game plans to perfection. The league-leading pressure rate tells the real story of this defense, and if fans can be patient, the sacks will come. In the meantime, what matters most is that the Texans’ defense is helping put the team in position to win games, and that’s what matters most.
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