Texans DE Danielle Hunter Wins AFC Defensive Player of the Week
Sitting at 4-5 on the season, the Houston Texans are firmly in the muck, the swamp of teams that, within a couple of weeks, could either have their season essentially ended or ascend firmly back into the playoff hunt, depending on results. They are an average team, with a few really good parts.
If we were to power rank the various components of this Texans team, in descending order, the top of the list begins with the edge rushing due of Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter. They, along with the entire defense, keep the Texans in any game.
Anderson has been a consistent force all season long, with seven sacks, and ranking fifth on the odds board for Defensive Player of the Year. Hunter has been solid, but had hit a bit of a lull. That is, a bit of a lull, until this past Sunday, in the 36-29 comeback win over the Jaguars.
Hunter was a cyborg menace all day long, with a career high 3.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, and one forced fumble, and for his efforts, Hunter was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week, the first time a Texan has won that honor since Week 15 last season, when Stingley won it on the strength of his two interception game against the Miami Dolphins.
Hunter, a native Houstonian, was the recipient of a one year, $35.6 million contract extension this past offseason, keeping him a Texan through the 2026 season, so it was very encouraging to see him dominate the Jaguars and carry the team on his back, at times. Hunter joined Myles Garrett and Tuli Tuipulotu as the only players in the NFL this season to record at least three sacks and one forced fumble in a game. Sunday was the sixth time in Hunter’s career that he’s notched at least three sacks, which is tied for the most such games in the NFL since he entered the NFL in 2015.
This is Hunter’s first Defensive Player of the Week award as a Houston Texan, and he becomes the 14th Texans defensive player to win the award, a list that includes his head coach DeMeco Ryans, and teammates Anderson and Stingley. J.J. Watt holds the team record for most Player of the Week honors with a total of seven.
This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2025.
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Reign Bowers is an outdoor enthusiast, adventure seeker, and storyteller passionate about exploring nature’s wonders. As the creator of SuperheroineLinks.com, Reign shares inspiring stories, practical tips, and expert insights to empower others—especially women—to embrace the great outdoors with confidence.
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