Wild Card Playoff Preview - Stopping Hunter and Anderson Key to Steelers’ Wild Card Chances

Steve Roberts - Imagn Images

For some teams, 27 sacks in a season is considered an accomplishment. The Houston Texans’ defense, however, is an entirely different beast, as this feat was achieved by just two players: Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr.

For the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are searching for their first playoff win in a decade, neutralizing arguably the NFL’s top pass‑rush tandem will be a daunting but necessary task if they want to break their postseason drought.

The challenge for Pittsburgh isn’t simply blocking two elite edge defenders — it’s dealing with the chaos they create. When Hunter and Anderson collapse the pocket, quarterbacks don’t just get sacked; they get sped up, forced into bad decisions, and funneled into interior pressure that feeds off disruption.

This in essence puts enormous responsibility on Pittsburgh’s offensive line, which must deliver its most disciplined performance of the season. Rookie tackle Troy Fautanu will be tested immediately by Anderson’s explosiveness, while Hunter’s blend of power and technique presents a different kind of problem on the opposite side. For this reason, the Steelers can’t afford to leave their tackles on islands for long stretches.

To counter Houston’s aggression, Pittsburgh will need to lean on quick-game concepts that get the ball out of Aaron Rodgers’ hands before the rush arrives. The run game, powered by Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren, will be crucial in preventing Hunter and Anderson from pinning their ears back. And with the Texans vulnerable in the middle of the field, Pat Freiermuth — fresh off a huge performance against Baltimore — could be the Steelers’ best mismatch weapon. If Pittsburgh becomes predictable, Houston’s edge duo will take over the night.

Complementary football will matter too. If the Steelers’ defense can create short fields or force quick Texans drives, it reduces the number of long possessions Pittsburgh’s offense must survive against this ferocious pass rush.

Stopping Hunter and Anderson won’t guarantee a win. But failing to slow them down almost certainly guarantees a loss. For a franchise desperate to end its playoff skid, the battle in the trenches may define everything that happens next Monday night.