Will Anderson’s Bold Stand: Texans’ Home Dominance Takes a Dramatic Turn

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The Houston Texans’ 2024 season ended in disappointment, falling 23-14 to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Despite the loss, the team remains optimistic heading into 2025, driven by key lessons learned and a clear focus on improvement.

A Season of Highs and Lows

Coming into 2024 with Super Bowl aspirations, the Texans’ season had its share of ups and downs. Their playoff journey began with a dominant Wild Card Weekend victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, where their defense shone with four takeaways. This performance rekindled hope that the team could make a deep playoff run.

Against the Chiefs, the Texans kept fans on edge, pulling within one point late in the third quarter. Ultimately, however, they couldn’t overcome the defending champions, marking another early playoff exit.

Despite the outcome, edge rusher Will Anderson remains steadfast in his belief that the Texans are on the cusp of greatness.

“We’re right there. I don’t care what nobody says,” Anderson told reporters. “This is a fantastic team. We’ve got our quarterback. We’ve got everything we need. We’ve got to keep stacking and keep persevering.”

Lessons Learned: Regular Season Matters

One key takeaway for Anderson and the Texans is the importance of regular-season performance. With 10-7 records in each of the past two seasons, the Texans have secured AFC South titles and Wild Card home games. But home-field advantage in later rounds has eluded them, making their postseason path significantly tougher.

“We can’t lose to these teams like the Titans and Jets,” Anderson said. “We’ve got to beat Detroit. We can’t suffer losses. We’ve got to get home-field advantage. And that’s really going to help us.”

Anderson’s words underscore the Texans’ need to prioritize consistency and dominance in the regular season to secure a stronger playoff position.

Injuries Take Their Toll

Injuries were a major obstacle for the Texans in 2024, derailing their momentum and exposing weaknesses in depth. Key players, including Stefon Diggs (ACL), Tank Dell (season-ending injury for the second consecutive year), and running back Joe Mixon (multiple ankle injuries), missed critical games. Wide receiver Nico Collins also had a midseason absence before returning to bolster the offense.

Defensive injuries compounded the problem, while an inconsistent offensive line left quarterback C.J. Stroud vulnerable. Stroud was sacked 52 times during the regular season and endured eight sacks in the loss to Kansas City—a postseason record for his career.

Staying healthy is critical to any team’s success, but the Texans’ struggles highlighted the need for better roster depth. As they look toward 2025, adding quality backups will be essential to weather the inevitable challenges of a grueling NFL season.

Priorities for the 2025 Offseason

1. Bolster the Offensive Line

Protecting C.J. Stroud must be the Texans’ top priority. Stroud’s talent is undeniable, but his ability to lead a high-powered offense is hindered when he’s under constant pressure. Improving the offensive line will not only enhance Stroud’s performance but also open up opportunities for the running game.

2. Enhance Depth Across the Roster

The Texans’ injuries in 2024 exposed a lack of depth at key positions. Building a roster capable of withstanding losses to starters will be crucial if the team hopes to achieve its playoff goals in 2025.

3. Maximize Defensive Dominance

Defense carried the Texans during the latter part of 2024, with players like Anderson stepping up in critical moments. Maintaining and enhancing this unit should remain a focal point. Adding versatile defenders who can adapt to different schemes will help the Texans remain competitive against elite offenses.

The Road Ahead

The Texans have shown they are a resilient team capable of competing with the best in the league. However, as Anderson acknowledged, the final hurdle—consistently winning regular-season games and advancing deep into the playoffs—is the toughest to overcome.

Houston’s leadership, from head coach DeMeco Ryans to key players like Stroud and Anderson, is determined to ensure that the team clears this hurdle in 2025.

“If you look at all the teams in the AFC, they’re just finding a way to win, and that’s what we’ve got to do a better job of,” Anderson said.

The Texans’ offseason will be pivotal in shaping their 2025 campaign. With a clear focus on strengthening weak spots and building on their existing talent, Houston aims to transform potential into postseason success. The path is challenging, but the Texans are closer than ever to achieving their Super Bowl aspirations.

Key Takeaway

To capitalize on their promise, the Texans must prioritize consistency, depth, and protection for Stroud in 2025. If they succeed, home-field advantage and a deeper playoff run could finally be within reach.

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