Green Bay Packers offensive tackles Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom are one of the ascending pass-blocking duos in football, but they’ll face a big test when Houston Texans edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter arrive at Lambeau Field on Sunday.
Anderson Jr., the third overall pick in the 2023 draft, and Hunter, a free-agent addition this offseason, have combined for 50 pressures in six games. Both Anderson (26) and Hunter (24) rank in the top 12 for pressures from an edge rusher. Anderson is coming off a three-sack performance in New England that earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors last week, while Hunter, the former Minnesota Viking, had a sack and a forced fumble in the win.
The Packers know a big challenge awaits along the offensive line.
“Obviously, Hunter we know from him being with the Vikings for a long time. Really good player. I think he’s still showing signs of being an elite pass rusher. And then Anderson is a young guy coming up. I think he has five or 5.5 sacks, and this is our first time going against him,” offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said Thursday. “They both play with great motors. They both can beat you with power and with speed. So those pass rushers are guys you’ve really got to be on point with your balance and your technique because they can run you over and they can put moves on you, too. It’s going to be a big challenge. They are very good.”
Stenavich said the pass-rush was a top strength for the Texans defense, especially on third down. Having a pair of elite edge rushers certainly helps.
Walker has allowed only one sack in six starts at left tackle and ranks 13th in pass-blocking grade at Pro Football Focus. Tom has allowed only six total pressures and ranks 11th. Together, they bookend an offensive line that has allowed only 44 total pressures this season.
Sunday’s visit from Anderson and Hunter will test the Packers offensive line and could probably the game’s decisive matchup. The Texans are banged up at off-ball linebacker and in the secondary, so it’s going to take a top effort from the defensive front — especially in the passing game — to slow Jordan Love and the Packers’ explosive offense.
If Anderson and Hunter are disruptive, the injuries to the Texans defense might not matter. But if the Packers can avoid third-and-long and Walker and Tom can keep the Texans’ edge rusher pair at bay, it’s easy to imagine Love and the passing game exploiting some of the holes left behind.
Hear more from Stenavich below: