‘All-Pro Sting,’ Texans corner Derek Stingley Jr. named AFC Defensive Player of the Week

HOUSTON – Texans star corner Derek Stingley Jr was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week in the wake of his outstanding two-interception game against the Miami Dolphins

Stingley shadowed Miami Dolphins All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill step for step, mirroring his speed up the sideline as the football spiraled toward him, interrupting its path with a smooth combination of body control, leaping ability and instincts.

It was a classic example of why the Texans’ talented cornerback is making a convincing argument for All-Pro and Pro Bowl status with this latest performance as he intercepted Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa twice in the fourth quarter of a 20-12 victory that led to a second consecutive AFC South division title.

The second interception unfolded as Stingley ripped the football away from Hill, who was rendered ineffective and unproductive as he caught just one pass for 15 yards on six targets against the former LSU consensus All-American and third overall pick. Targeted seven times, Hill, a former All-Pro selection, finished with just two catches for 36 yards overall. The interception sealed the game with 1:37 to play as the Texans were able to run out the clock after Stingley regained possession for the offense as the team improved to 9-5 as Stingley dominated Hill, one of the top wide receivers in the NFL.

“It’s a good opportunity going against somebody that’s the face of the NFL,” Stingley said. “So, anytime you get to go out there on the field, it’s just a good time, just time to have fun.”

‘Very proud of Sting,’ how Texans corner Derek Stingley Jr. is having a Pro Bowl caliber year, just ask CeeDee Lamb

And Stingley has five interceptions, matching the career-high he established last season when he was snubbed for Pro Bowl status and was named an alternate. Stingley is the only player in the NFL who has intercepted five or more passes in each of the past two seasons.

“All-Pro Sting,” Texans rookie safety Calen Bullock said. “”All-Pro Sting,” safety Calen Bullock said. “I’ve been calling him that since camp, and I think he’s gonna go get it.”

Stingley had allowed just a 44.6 completion percentage heading into Sunday’s games, ranking him third overall behind Baltimore Ravens corner Nate Wiggins and teammate Kamari Lassiter.

“He’s going to step up, always,” said Texans Pro Bowl defensive end Will Anderson Jr., whose sack and forced fumble was one of the defense’s four turnovers and led to a C.J. Stroud touchdown pass to Nico Collins. “He doesn’t say much. When you go out there, that’s his talking right there. I’m not surprised at all. He’s the best. Best one in the league.”

On Sunday, Stingley delivered five tackles, two for losses, the pair of clutch interceptions and two passes defensed.

In his usual low-key style, Stingley downplayed any personal ambitions of leaguewide recognition.

“I’m just trying to get to the Super Bowl,” Stingley said. “If it happens, it happens. If not, it’s cool.”

Throwing at Stingley has simply become a bad idea.

Just ask Hill.

On the first interception, Stingley basically ran the route for Hill as his textbook coverage techniques, taught by his father, Derek Stingley Sr., prevented Tagovailoa from connecting with his favorite target.

On the second interception, the body control from Stingley was simply elite as he read Hill’s intentions and footwork adeptly.

“I just figured he wasn’t going deep,” Stingley said. “Most of the time, when you’re guarding Tyreek, you think it’s deep ball, but I just figured he was about to break, and he broke.”

Stingley finished with an 86.7 pass coverage grade, according to Pro Football Focus analytics.

“Sting, player of the game,” Ryans said in the Texans locker room after the game in a video from the team. “That’s probably the best play I’ve ever seen. For you right there to close it out, man.

“Asking you to cover in man coverage and lock guys up, that’s what you do. Keep doing that, man. Heck of a play. Proud of you. Way to win the game for us.”

Ryans couldn’t stop talking about Stingley’s game-sealing interception, a dynamic play that sent the Texans on a path to the playoffs.

“That play he makes there to end the game, that is a big-time play,” Ryans said. “Not a lot of players can do that. I think he’s very deserving of Player of the Week, Player of the Month. He’s done an outstanding job of when teams even try to challenge him, like he’s going to go get the football, right?

“Can’t be more proud of Sting just for what we ask him to do. He steps up every week. No matter with we ask him to do, he steps up and continues to grow as a player and pro and make the plays we need to make. There is not a better play I’ve seen, that play he made today.”

Stingley is now up to three interceptions in December with three games remaining in the regular season.

“‘Sting is one of a kind,” Stroud said. “His ball skills and how he can play the ball in the air is the best I’ve ever seen in my life.”

Stingley is now the first corner in NFL history to intercept two passes and record two tackles for losses in the same game.

He tied former Texans safety Andre Hal with two multiple-interception games for the most in franchise history.

He’s Mr. December with six career interceptions in the month of December going back to last season. And he’s now up to 11 career interceptions.

“He’s worked and made himself into the player that he is,” Texans general manager Nick Caserio said. “This league, it’s about talent, but it’s really not. It’s about work. It’s about mental and physical toughness and it’s about doing it consistently. Honestly, he’s improved in some areas, probably run force and tackling are some of the areas he’s probably improved the most.

“So, you’d be hard pressed to say there’s too many corners playing better than Derek Stingley, maybe other than [Denver Broncos corner Patrick] Surtain. Surtain basically does everything well. I don’t think he’s given a completion all year. Derek’s a good player. We thought he was a good player when we drafted him. Nobody’s a finished product when they’re drafted. Derek has worked really hard to make himself into the player that he is.””

When Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, an Episcopal graduate, exited the game with a knee injury, Stingley was shifted to follow Hill as his primary assignment.

“We have game-plan adjustments,” Ryans said. “We made an adjustment there when Waddle went out, knowing that Tyreek was their most explosive guy. So, I thought it would be in our best interest to make sure our best cover guy to be on their best receiver.”

Stingley took the big game in stride. He was his usual humble and matter-of-fact personality after the game, deflecting the praise.

“I feel like my teammates, they know who I am,” he said. “And this is really just showing my teammates that they can trust me.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com