Texans’ Will Anderson Jr. cites Jesus after commanding playoff win: ‘Let our light shine’

A Houston defensive lineman who helped fuel a dominant Monday night performance cited Scripture during a postgame TV interview and said his team wants to let their “light shine” so God’s name will be glorified.

With the offense sputtering, Will Anderson Jr. and the Texans’ defense took over, sacking Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers four times and scoring two defensive touchdowns in a 30–6 first-round playoff victory on the Steelers’ home field.

A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Anderson finished with three quarterback pressures, half a sack and a critical forced fumble that led to a 33-yard scoop-and-score for teammate Sheldon Rankins, giving Houston an 11-point fourth-quarter lead.

“I give all glory to God. Thank you, Jesus Christ,” Anderson told ESPN moments after the game, before paraphrasing Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:16: 

“We have a Scripture saying, ‘Let our light shine before You God so that when people see us play, they glorify Your Name.’ So just a shout-out to Jesus Christ.” 

Anderson is an outspoken Christian on a team that has made faith a cornerstone. Quarterback C.J. Stroud regularly speaks about his faith, and head coach DeMeco Ryans – a former Houston player – does the same. In December, Ryans opened a press conference by telling reporters that “the light is shining bright on the Texans – but that light is really reflective of our guys’ belief in … our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Faith, he added, is “what’s driven our team.” 

The team’s faith has been so visible that the Houston Chronicle devoted a January 2025 feature to it, running the headline, “How chapel gatherings and Bible study connect Houston.” Each week during the season, about 40 players and staff members come together for prayer and Bible study, the story said. 

“The biggest thing, what I love about this team is we’ve been recruiting guys to come into chapel,” Anderson told the Chronicle. “It’s always a new face in there every game. I really feel like we have a really good team that wants to get closer to Christ and wants to learn more about God. I feel like God’s favor is over this team.” 

Anderson and Stroud have been central to Houston’s resurgence. After missing the playoffs three straight years, the Texans have reached the postseason in each of the past three seasons. Both were part of that turnaround, having been selected in the same 2023 draft. 

Anderson enjoyed a breakout season, earning first-team Associated Press NFL All-Pro honors for the first time after recording 12 sacks and 20 tackles for loss. The latter tied for fourth in the league. 

After learning in December that he had been selected to another Pro Bowl, he posted on Instagram the verse 1 Peter 5:6, which says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” 

The Texans’ win advanced them to a divisional round game at New England on Sunday at 3 p.m. Eastern.