Texans' Will Anderson Jr Calls for NFL To Review Controversial Roughing the Passer Plays

Houston Texans star defensive end Will Anderson Jr. wants the NFL to review controversial officiating in the team's recent loss to the Kansas City Chiefs that caused widespread outrage in the football community, particularly over sliding and roughing the passer.

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In a recent X post by NFL reporter Aaron Wilson says, "#Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr., hopes late slides and controversial roughing the passer calls he disagreed with, that Walt Anderson discussed and upheld Sunday, will be reviewed by #NFL this offseason @KPRC2"

Anderson was asked about the NFL's Sunday announcement that it stood by the calls in the Divisional Round faceoff between the Texans and the Chiefs.

"The type of player that I am," Anderson responded. "After the play, I didn't go to the ref. I didn't do none of that. I kept playing. I had a really great game. I didn't let that affect [me], affect how I played."

"I moved on," the DE continued. "I'm not the kind to chase calls. The NFL can do whatever they need to do. I feel as a player, you just have to keep playing and no matter what you say in an interview, that's your opinion, know what I'm saying?"

Then the Texans player got into the heart of the matter.

"Some calls were— some calls could have been better calls," he said. "That's my opinion. But at the end of the day, it's about us, we have to do a better job of executing, we have to do a better job of going out there and being ready, and no matter what the outcome is, we have to do a better job of handling Texas business on both sides of the ball."

Anderson was then asked what he thought the NFL needs to do about the increasingly controversial slide rule and whether he thinks it needs to be reconsidered.

"Most definitely, most definitely," Anderson said without hesitation. "It has to be looked at, for everybody's safety. Quarterbacks are starting to keep from being hit by sliding, but their body is still up, you know what I'm saying? I think it's hard to judge a defensive player coming in full speed and him stopping."

"People think that's easy," Anderson said. "And it's not. For us to have huge human beings forced to stop like that is kind of hard, so, like I said, at the end of the day, we just have to keep playing."

The Chiefs' victory over the Texans in the AFC Divisional Round has sparked intense debate, particularly regarding the officiating.

Two controversial penalties on Texans defenders—Anderson and Henry To'oTo'o—have become the focal point of the discussion.

The first penalty, a roughing the passer call on Anderson, and the second, an unnecessary roughness penalty on To'oTo'o, both played pivotal roles in the game's outcome.

The To'oTo'o penalty was especially contentious, as replays showed that his contact seemed to be more with a teammate than with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who had already slid to the ground.

These calls gave the Chiefs an additional 10 points, which proved to be a crucial factor in their victory.

Many believe that the penalties, particularly the questionable late hit on Mahomes, swung the momentum in Kansas City's favor and were instrumental in the final result.

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