For Josh Allen, Thursday night wasn’t just a loss; it was a 60-minute hunt where he was the primary target, and Texans‘ DE Will Anderson Jr. made sure the Bills quarterback felt every second of the pursuit. The QB was sacked 8 times during the game, and Will Anderson Jr. made sure everyone knew it was all a part of their game plan.

“We just gotta keep hunting,” Anderson Jr. reflected in a post-game interview. “I think tonight was the perfect example of everybody hunting relentlessly, doing whatever it takes.”

The DE, who was an integral part of the Texans’ defensive push, was on a mission to take down the Bills‘ offense. The defense carried their team to victory, and Anderson’s 2.5 sacks added to the consistent pressure on Allen’s Bills.

While speaking to the press after their win on Thursday, Anderson stated that despite the team’s initial frustration early in the season, they’re starting to find rhythm through their targeted huntsman-like approach, hunting for a metaphorical gazelle.

“We’ve got to be relentless,” the DE added when talking about their mentality. “No matter what you’ve got going on. No matter how you’re feeling.”

Hunting aptly describes what Anderson has been doing on the field. Paired with DE powerhouse Danielle Hunter, the duo has been nothing short of a menace this season. Thriving on disrupting offenses with explosive performances, Anderson is dangerous when he sets his eyes on a target.

Josh Allen’s 18-yard sack in the third quarter looked less like a football play and more like chaos on fast-forward. He darted in every direction, trying to escape, but Will Anderson Jr. refused to lose the trail. By the time Anderson finally dragged him down, it did not feel like a National Geographic chase anymore. It felt like something out of a movie.

“That just goes back to the relentless rush,” Anderson Jr. said, reflecting on his instructions. “Coach (DeMeco Ryans) really hit it on the head. ‘Man, whatever it takes to get him down. You’re going to miss him one time, but pop back up and get him again.’”

Just last season, the Baltimore Ravens delivered a similarly overwhelming pass-rush performance, smothering an opponent with constant pressure and setting the standard for defensive dominance. Placing Houston’s breakout beside that kind of benchmark shows where this Texans unit now belongs in the broader NFL landscape.

While the Texans’ defense has more than proven itself this year, its offense took a hit after losing C.J. Stroud to a concussion against the Broncos. How has Stroud’s replacement managed thus far?

Texans’ backup QB gets it done in C.J. Stroud’s absence

On Thursday, Houston’s defense did enough to elicit an outburst from Josh Allen, proving why they’re the top-ranked defense. But one cannot discount backup quarterback Davis Mills’ offensive contribution. Since taking over from Stroud, Davis Mills has racked up three straight victories. His latest outing against the Bills was also impressive.

Mills went 16 of 30 for 153 yards and two touchdowns, avoided turnovers, and handled the moment with poise. It was not explosive, but it was efficient, timely, and exactly what the Texans needed from their stand-in quarterback. In fact, Mills himself gave it up to a team effort from the offense for protecting him well.

“Great pressure all night,” The QB for the night said in a post-game presser. “I didn’t feel pressured at all back there. It was just kind of sitting pretty.”

While he’s successfully managed to keep the team going, the Texans will need a reliable offense going forward, especially because their playoff chances hinge on their upcoming games, alongside C.J. Stroud’s return timeline. At present, the QB is expected to return for the Texans’ Week 13 faceoff against the Colts, as per reports from ESPN.