Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. proved on Sunday that he’s possibly the league’s top defensive back in man coverage.
The NFL tends to agree with that statement heading into Saturday’s showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Stingley was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week following his two-interception performance that helped the Houston Texans capture their second consecutive AFC South Division Championship.
This marks the second time Stingley has won the award since being drafted No. 3 overall in 2022.
“Stingley has been impactful throughout the entire year. I think for the past three wins, he’s been our defensive player of the game,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday. “So, when he’s making impact plays, it’s putting us in position to win football games.”
STAYS BUZZIN
@stingjr is the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 15
#ProBowlVote + @stingjr pic.twitter.com/A8DnhQ1x3Y
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 18, 2024
In Week 15’s 20-12 win over the Miami Dolphins, Stingley notched five tackles, including two for loss, two interceptions and two pass breakups. He also secured the victory with a game-sealing interception against Tua Tagovailoa while in man coverage against All-Pro receiver Tyreek Hill.
Stingley led the NFL in interceptions for the week while his two tackles for loss also paced the league for defensive backs.
He became the first cornerback in NFL history to record two interceptions and two tackles for loss in a single game.
With his two interceptions, Stingley became one-of-two players in the NFL this season to record multiple interceptions in the fourth quarter of a game.
“All-Pro Sting,” safety Calen Bullock said following the game. “I’ve been calling him that since camp. And I think he’s gonna go get it.”
In 15 games, Stingley has tallied a career-high 46 tackles, four tackles for loss, five interceptions and 17 passes defended. He’s also recorded a franchise-record six interceptions in the month of December despite missing the entire month due to injury in his rookie campaign.
Derek Stingley Jr. helped the Houston Texans win the AFC South and could be on his way to securing Defensive Player of the Month honors.
The accolade marks the 61st time a Texan has been named Player of the Week and the 22nd time a defensive player claimed the award.
Derek Stingley Jr since Week 10:
90.1 coverage grade (1st among CBs)
— PFF HOU Texans (@PFF_Texans) December 17, 2024
Stingley joins running back Joe Mixon, kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn and defensive end Will Anderson Jr, as Texans players to win Player of the Week honors in 2024.
Ryans, who handed him the game ball following Sunday’s performances, wants more from the league before the season ends.
“He better be the Defensive Player of the Month,” Ryans said to the locker room postgame