HOUSTON — DeMeco Ryans, the head coach of the Houston Texans, expressed his admiration for cornerback Derek Stingley following a thrilling victory over the Miami Dolphins. After Stingley’s outstanding second interception during the game’s final minutes, Ryans praised him in the locker room, saying, “That’s probably the best play I’ve ever seen,” before bestowing him the game ball after the Texans clinched a 20-12 triumph.
With less than two minutes remaining, the Dolphins were attempting to even the score. On the very first play of their drive, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw a long ball aimed at wide receiver Tyreek Hill, only for Stingley to disrupt the play by snatching the ball away from Hill. Watching from the sidelines, Tagovailoa shook his head in disbelief as Stingley and the Texans’ defense celebrated their fourth turnover of the game. Stingley was the center of attention, with teammates playfully placing an imaginary crown on his head as he held the ball aloft.
“It’s very impressive,” Ryans noted, remarking on the rarity of such a game-ending play. “That was an All-Pro-type play. That’s what it looks like when you’re one of the top guys at your position in the league going up against one of the best wideouts.” Earlier in the game, Stingley had also intercepted another pass intended for Hill, solidifying his dominance in crucial moments.
Throughout the season, Stingley has shown consistent improvement, particularly in recent weeks where four out of his five interceptions have occurred. His impressive performance also included two tackles for loss in the game, making him the first cornerback in NFL history to achieve two interceptions and two tackles for loss in the same match. This standout display earned him the title of AFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Ryans commended Stingley’s impact not just in this game but throughout the season. “I think for the past three wins, he’s been our defensive player of the game,” Ryans stated. “When he’s making impact plays, it’s helping us win football games.” Houston’s victory against Miami, combined with a loss for the Indianapolis Colts, led to the Texans (9-5) securing their second consecutive AFC South title. They are scheduled to face the Kansas City Chiefs, the reigning Super Bowl champions, on Saturday.
Stingley, who was the third overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, faced scrutiny during his initial two seasons in the league, primarily due to injury setbacks that kept him out of 13 games. In contrast, Sauce Gardner, the cornerback drafted just after him by the New York Jets, garnered accolades like the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year and was named an All-Pro multiple times. However, this season, Stingley has started in every game, racking up 46 tackles and defending 17 passes, both of which are personal bests.
When asked if he feels he has silenced critics with his current performance, Stingley stated that it’s not something that concerns him. “My teammates, they know who I am,” he said. “So, really it’s just showing my teammates that they can trust me.” While it’s easy for teammates and coaches to rave about Stingley’s season, the player himself is less inclined to engage in discussions about his performance.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud humorously described their interactions, noting that Stingley tends to be quiet. “He doesn’t really talk much … he’s just like mm-hmm,” Stroud remarked, laughing at his friend’s reticence to engage in conversation. Stingley’s preference for letting his performance do the talking aligns with the discussions surrounding possible Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors this season, although he remains focused on team goals.
“I don’t know,” he said when asked about personal accolades. “I’m trying to get to the Super Bowl. If it happens, it happens. If it don’t, it’s cool.”