Broncos-Texans Key Matchup: Mike McGlinchey vs. Will Anderson

The Denver Broncos have had issues defending the pass rush at times, but the offensive line has been a great unit overall. The Broncos have faced some outstanding pass rushers this season, and now they have a young potential star to face off against in Will Anderson of the Houston Texans. 

The Texans selected quarterback C.J. Stroud at No. 2 overall and then traded up to take Anderson at No. 3 in the 2023 NFL draft. Anderson has been having a great season, though there have been rookie hiccups. He seems poised to become one of the next great pass rushers in the NFL. 

The young pass rusher doesn't have great numbers overall, ranking 20th in total pressures, tied 27th in sacks, and 20th in pass-rush productivity out of 31 edge rushers with at least 300 pass-rush snaps.

However, Anderson wins often and ranks 12th in pass-rush win rate. So he is winning his reps, but quarterbacks often get the ball out before he can get pressure. 

The fact that Anderson wins so often is a concern for the Broncos due to how long Russell Wilson holds the ball. Wilson's escapability will help, so long as he doesn't panic — a troubling area of his game that he's cut back on as the season has marched on. 

When it comes to the Broncos' offensive line, Anderson has a favorable matchup. He's played 503 snaps on defense, and 435 of them have come from the defensive left side, based on looking at the ball. So that would mean he will spend most of his time facing off against Broncos' right tackle Mike McGlinchey. 

It's been a lousy debut as a Bronco for McGlinchey as a pass protector. On the season, he's allowed five sacks and 39 total pressures. However, he is improving. 

Over the Broncos' five-game winning streak, McGlinchey has not allowed a sack, with 16 total pressures. The pressure count is still higher than you'd like, but better than what Denver was getting to start the season. He has also improved in getting called for penalties, with only two during the win streak and eight total on the season. 

The Broncos would be wise to give McGlinchey some help from the tight ends and running backs. Anything to disrupt Anderson early in the rep because that's where he wins. 

Most of Anderson's wins come in the first second of a snap. That doesn't mean he can't win later, but slowing him down is crucial to limiting his impact. 

While the Texans also sit at 6-5, their defense is susceptible to moving the ball. Houston fields a solid run defense, but its passing defense is one of the worst in the NFL. 

That's why it's crucial for the Broncos to limit Anderson, so Wilson and company can exploit this weak passing defense, especially if Denver struggles to get the run game going consistently.