Will Anderson Jr. of the Houston Texans says the key to a deep playoff run is about being “detailed” and “more mental” than physical. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
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Will Anderson Jr. is one of the top pass rushers in the NFL.
The 23-year-old has every bit lived up to the expectations as a highly touted defensive end from the college football superpower Alabama Crimson Tide. The 6-foot-4 Anderson was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and made an impact during his first season, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year, notching a Pro Bowl bid and helping lead the Texans to their first playoff appearance since the 2019 season.
The Texans are one of the hotter teams in the NFL as of late. After a 1-4 start, Houston has gone 6-1, including a recent win over the Indianapolis Colts, a team that has led the AFC South since the start of the season. The Texans are a division-best 4-1 against AFC South opponents this season, with one more divisional matchup against the Colts at home in the regular season finale left on the schedule.
“I think for us, it’s just all about us,” says Anderson in a one-on-one interview. “It’s just how we’re going out and executing. How are we going on and playing? Is everybody on the details of their job? Is everybody locked into their job? We can go as far as we want to go if everybody’s doing that.”
The 2025 Texans – led by head coach and former Pro Bowl linebacker DeMeco Ryans – has been the top defensive unit all season long. They rank first in the NFL in points allowed per game (16.5) and also lead the league in total yards.
Anderson has been at the forefront of that with 10.5 sacks, ranking sixth in the NFL in that category. Furthermore, his four forced fumbles rank second.
“I think we’ve been doing a really great job of that,” says Anderson of focusing on the details. “Everybody been coming up to work with great energy, great vibes, and we’re just going to gel and play a complimentary football, and that’s what you got to have in this last push.”
Will Anderson On Key Objective This Season: Be A ‘Great Leader’ & ‘Great Captain’
When asked about specific objectives this season, whether team, stat or award based, Anderson says he wants to be a “great leader” and “great captain.”
“Just to be honest, it’s really just being a great leader and being a great captain and to be able to connect with my teammates more,” says Anderson. “They chose me to be a leader, and that’s one thing I really hold my head on high, man. They give me so much confidence just to be myself.
“Coming into the season, being able to be a captain again, that’s one thing I really want to work on was really knowing my teammates, to be able to enjoy playing with them even more on a deeper level of understanding, why they play,” Anderson continues. “It’s just been great knowing why the man beside me is doing what he does, and we get to go out and rock out and have fun.”
The Texans haven’t advanced past the divisional round in their franchise history since they began play in 2002.
Houston has come close during Anderson’s first couple of seasons, losing a tight game against the Kansas City Chiefs last season. The 23-year-old star says the key for the Texans to make a deep run is everyone being “detailed.”
“It’s everybody being detailed,” says Anderson. “I think it’s more mental than physical. It’s how more mentally locked in can you be to do your job to the highest level possible.”
Will Anderson Partners With Raising Canes To Give Out Free Bikes To Kids
As Anderson prepares to continue to lead the Texans on a second-half push towards a third consecutive playoff berth, he’s partnering with Raising Canes to help out the community in Houston.
Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. gave away free bikes to kids while partnering with Raising Cane’s.
Raising Cane’s
During his off day on Tuesday, Anderson gave away free bikes to The Boys and Girls Club.
“I’m here at the Boys and Girls Club and holding my second foundation event, just giving away free bikes today to the boys and girls here,” says Anderson. “Just using my platform to get out back into my community and to be a blessing.
“I’m super excited, I like to be a part of things,” Anderson continues to say. “It’s all about being in the community and serving others, and Raising Canes embodies that, and they do it all the time. To be able to partner with them doing this has really been nice.”
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/djsiddiqi/2025/12/03/houston-texans-will-anderson-jr-reveals-key-to-making-deep-playoff-run-this-season/
