Houston Texans edge rusher Danielle Hunter has played 145 career regular season the games. The 31-year-old is a former All-Pro, a five-time Pro Bowler and is one of just 46 players in league history with at least 100 career quarterback sacks. We start with this biographical breakdown because it provides perspective for the relatively bold statement I’m about to make… Hunter’s 145th career regular season game
Consider: there have been six instances in the career of Danielle Hunter when he’s finished a game with at least 3 sacks. In just two of those games, Hunter had at least 4 QB hits. And just once — Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars — has Hunter reached those statistical milestones while also registering at least 4 tackles for loss.
Add it all up, and we have one of the most dominant games you’ll ever see from an edge rusher, and again, Hunter is 31 years old and nearly 150 games into his NFL career. Having a peak performance at this juncture of his career is abnormal to say the least. You could say, it’s nearly as abnormal as a UFO sighting, but according to Texans center Jake Andrews, that’s practically what Hunter’s teammates were seeing from the sideline on Sunday afternoon.
“Did you expect anything less? I mean, the guys a monster! Have you seen him? He’s a mutant, man,” Andrews told reporters after the game. “He’s obviously played this long for a good reason, and he still produces like he’s a young buck. He’s awesome. He’s awesome to have in the locker room, he’s a great guy. Really happy for him.”
If the presence of Danielle Hunter on one side of the defense isn’t frightening enough, having Will Anderson Jr. on the opposite side is certainly enough to send a shiver down the spine of any opposing quarterback. Hunter paced the Texans last Sunday with 3.5 sacks, but Anderson was the one who came in for the game-clinching strip sack, knocking the ball loose from the hands of Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence on the final play of the contest.
Together, Hunter and Anderson have gotten to opposing quarterbacks 14.5 times this season. They’ve forced 4 combined fumbles and stopped 18 plays behind the line of scrimmage. It’s a duo that has been as good as advertised, and is well on their way to matching their production from the 2024 season, when they combined for 23 sacks and 33 tackles for loss.
“Will and Danielle, they’re definitely a scary force on the edge and two of the best edge rushers in the league,” Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said this week, per Jared Koch. “We’re blessed to have both of those guys as rushers on our team.”
As the 2025 NFL season intensifies, Geno Smith has made one thing abundantly clear: he’s not interested in the off-field chatter, the opinions of critics, or the narratives being spun by the media.
Smith has faced his fair share of criticism throughout his career, with his time with the Seattle Seahawks and now his tenure with the Raiders providing plenty of moments for pundits to weigh in. After a series of inconsistent performances, there’s no shortage of narratives being built around his future in the NFL. But Smith isn’t concerned with the noise — he’s determined to prove himself on the field.
A New Focus: One Play at a Time
For Smith, it’s all about his next opportunity to lead his team to victory. Despite a rough start to the season with the Raiders, Smith is focused on putting the past behind him and moving forward. His statement is a clear indication that he’s choosing to focus on what he can control — his performance, his leadership, and the results on the field.
“I’ve learned to block out the distractions,” Smith continued. “At the end of the day, it’s about what happens when you step onto that field. The rest doesn’t matter. I’m here to play ball, and that’s where my focus is.”
This mindset comes at a critical juncture for Smith. The Raiders are looking for consistency from their quarterback, and Smith knows that he needs to step up and lead this team. With a solid supporting cast around him and a coaching staff committed to his success, Smith is ready to show the world that he’s capable of more than the ups and downs he’s been labeled with in the past.
The Opportunity Ahead
Week 11 is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in Smith’s season. As the Raiders face a tough opponent, the quarterback’s ability to block out the noise and deliver on the field will be crucial. With his statement, Smith is making it clear that he isn’t going to be defined by the criticism or the narrative that surrounds him. His focus is laser-sharp, and he’s determined to let his play do the talking.
For the Raiders, Smith’s commitment to his role and his no-nonsense approach could be the spark they need to get back on track. His leadership will be key to executing the game plan and finding success in the high-stakes moments. And for Smith, his chance to prove himself on the field has never been more important.
No More Excuses
At this point in his career, Geno Smith has nothing left to prove to anyone except himself. He’s already overcome plenty of obstacles, and now it’s all about taking responsibility for his role in the offense and leading his team with conviction. The past is behind him, and the future is in his hands. Smith has the chance to rewrite the narrative — and he’s doing it with one clear focus: football.
As the Raiders head into the second half of the season, the pressure is on. But with Geno Smith’s mindset firmly on the field, the distractions of the outside world won’t be a factor. The only thing that matters now is what happens when he takes the snap. No distractions, no excuses — just football.