The Marquee and Deciding Matchups Are in the Trenches

The Texans and Chargers both boast pass rush depth

According to Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, it’s the matchup “everybody is looking forward to” when the Texans host the Los Angeles Chargers.

Justin Herbert’s pseudo-bodyguards Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt at tackle will try to keep their quarterback clean against two pass-rushing robots in Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter.

“With our defense line versus our offensive line, that will be the key matchup of the game,” Ryans said about the impending edge battle. “They have done a really good job of protecting Justin all year and for us, we have gotten after the passer pretty good all year. They are good, we are good so that is what playoff football is about.”

The Texans must defeat one of the best tackle duos in football.

Slater played high school football just outside of Houston in Sugar Land at Clements before starring at Northwestern. He was immediately excellent earning a Pro Bowl nod in his first season. The Chargers haven’t extended him yet, and Slater seems to have taken it personally. He just turned in the best season of his career. Pro Football Focus graded him as the best tackle in the AFC.

Rookie right tackle Joe Alt was considered one of the safest players in the 2024 draft. Usually the designation of “safe” perpetuates the idea of a low ceiling. Not for Alt. He’s been one of the best rookie tackles in recent years. Pro Football Focus graded it as a top-20 season in 2024 and a top-10 rookie season over the past four years.

The best pass-rushing duo in football is coming for them.