Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. put his name on the list with the best NFL pass-rushers produced by Alabama when he recorded three sacks during a 41-21 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday.Anderson became the 16th Crimson Tide alumnus with at least three sacks in a single NFL game. Former Alabama players have done it 29 times, including 10 games by Derrick Thomas, who holds the NFL single-game record of seven sacks.
But Anderson did more on Sunday than welcome New England’s Drake Maye to the NFL in the rookie quarterback’s first start. Anderson also reached career highs with eight tackles and four tackles for loss and had the second pass defended of his NFL career.
The tipped pass was picked off by the Texans at the Patriots 26-yard line to set up a touchdown.
Since the NFL began tracking tackles for loss and passes defended in 1999, Anderson recorded the 12th game in which a player had at least eight tackles, three sacks, four tackles for loss and one pass defended, and he did it on 33 snaps, his fewest of the season.
“Proud of Will,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said after the game. “Massive game for him. To be able to get after the quarterback the way he did with three sacks, also forced an interception by (cornerback Eric) Murray. Just a really, really productive day by him, and he stayed after it. I loved his energy from start to finish. I felt his mindset in pregame warmups, so I knew it was going to be a really good day for him. Will, he’s getting better every week. This is his best game by far.”
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