HOUSTON – One week after a disappointing start to the season, the Texans get another chance to showcase their skills Monday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In the wake of a frustrating 14-9 road loss to the Los Angeles Rams to kick off the year, the Texans are back at NRG Stadium in front of their fans as they look to rebound from a setback.
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The nation is watching as part of an NFL doubleheader Monday night.
“Most definitely, how do we respond, what’s next?” Texans Pro Bowl defensive end Will Anderson Jr. said. “What’s our mentality going into this game, man? And the mentality is to win, man. But it’s just gonna take all of us executing, man, being down to just have an urgency, and it’s more mental urgency to get the job done and compete.
“Everybody’s watching, man. We’ve got the fans here. We just got to get this W before the fans. Football is always going to be football. Ball ain’t never changed. It’s been the same since you’ve been five, six years old, man, just at the bigger stage. The biggest thing, really just going out there having fun, letting loose, man and just letting go and just let your instincts take over and just doing your job."
Anderson Jr., a former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, is well on his way toward potentially earning a blockbuster, generational-wealth contract on the horizon in the next year. He’ll be eligible for a new deal after his third NFL season.
He got off to a fast start against the Rams with three tackles for losses and one sack.
The Buccaneers are dealing with injuries across their offensive line, including left tackle Tristan Wirfs being out. They shifted center Graham Barton to left tackle. Right tackle Luke Goedeke is active after being listed as questionable.
“It’s the NFL, man,” Anderson said. “We have film on them and just studying them. Respect our opponent no matter who’s on the field, man It’s really just about us going out there, executing our game plan and making sure that we’re in our detail to make sure that we’re rushing together, playing together, and just being one."
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is an elusive dual-threat passer.
He has rushed for 1,240 career yards and 10 touchdowns, including five runs for 39 yards in a win over the Atlanta Falcons to start the season. He rushed for a career-high 378 yards and three touchdowns last season.
The Texans have been prepping for Mayfield’s ability to improvise and run the football.
“Yeah, most definitely, my coach made a whole cut-up, man, of just him escaping the pocket, him escaping, people missing sacks on them and stuff like that,” Anderson said. “So, it’s gonna take all 11 guys to get into the ball and really wrap him up and get him down. "
Anderson, a former third overall pick from Alabama where he was a consensus All-American, is more than open to negotiating with the defending AFC South champions.
“Most definitely, I want to be here the rest of my career honestly,” Anderson told KPRC 2. “As long as I can be here, that’s what I want, to be here.”
The Texans are building a strong track record of taking care of their homegrown talent.
The Texans negotiated a three-year, $90 million extension for All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr., a former third overall pick from LSU, earlier this offseason that makes him the highest paid cornerback in the NFL in terms of new money.
The Texans briefly made Jalen Pitre the highest paid nickel in the NFL with a three-year, $42 million extension.
The Texans also rewarded Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter to an extension that pays him $55.1 million over the next two seasons, including $54.1 million guaranteed, with a $32 million cash payout this year.
“Those guys, they deserve it,” Anderson said. “They work really hard. They put a lot of hard work into their craft. And you see it on Sundays, and I’m excited to be part of that team building.”
Anderson Jr. recorded 11 sacks, two less than Hunter, and 16 tackles for losses with 19 quarterback hits last season with one forced fumble in just 14 games last season. He broke J.J. Watt’s rookie sack record with 7 1/2 sacks after Texans general manager Nick Caserio traded with the Arizona Cardinals to acquire Anderson, the highest graded player on the majority of all NFL draft boards.
Regardless of where the Texans wind up with Anderson in future contract talks, he’s extremely enthused and focused about the outlook for a two-time defending AFC South champion coached by DeMeco Ryans.
"Man, the biggest thing is not deviating from the swarm mentality," Anderson said. “Everybody on board, everybody’s swarming, everybody playing the defense, everybody going out there flying to the ball, all 11 hats to the ball. That’s the type of defense we want to be, man. I’m excited.
“I’ve been seeing the guys work every day, man, been out there grinding in this heat, and it’s just good things to come for us. Man, I’ve not gonna lie, ever since that last game, I haven’t been able to stay composed. I love this group so much, man. I just see the potential of this team and how great we can be. And the guys we have in the locker room and the coaches we have.”
The Texans, 0-6 in the AFC divisional round, lost in the playoffs last season to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Now, they’re determined to make a long playoff run. They’re chasing a Super Bowl.
“Man, it’s fun,” Anderson said. “I’m really excited about this year, man. Both sides of the ball, just seeing everybody work, no complaining. Like, everybody’s just happy to be there. Everybody’s building bonds. The rookies just got there, man and they’re fitting right in. And I’m excited about the season. I know it’s going to be a good one for us.
“It’s very important. I think we try to do a really good job of setting what type of culture we want. So as soon as (rookies) got here, they know what we’re about, how we move, how we operate, how to work, and I think they’re fitting in just fine.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com