For the Houston Texans, Week 8 against the 49ers feels like a moment to reassert a defensive identity -- one built around speed and disruption.
For head coach DeMeco Ryans, no player embodies the mantra more than third-year edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. He’s the heartbeat of Houston’s front, a player who can single-handedly change the tempo of a game with his explosiveness and motor off the edge.
And against a 49ers offense riddled with injuries, Anderson could be the one to flip a matchup entirely on its head.
For San Fran, Brock Purdy remains out, leaving Mac Jones -- a capable but limited pocket passer -- to handle the controls.