The Miami Dolphins tested Derek Stingley Jr. That was a mistake.
The Houston Texans corner intercepted Tua Tagovailoa twice in Sunday's 20-12 victory, the second of which Stingley ripped the ball out of Tyreek Hill's hands, sealing the game -- and the AFC South division title.
"Not a lot of players can do that," coach DeMeco Ryans said of Stingley's athletic second INT, . "I know all the games aren't over, but I think he's very deserving of Player of the Week. There's not a better play I've seen than that play he made today."
Stingley generated two fourth-quarter INTs, both while covering Hill, earned five tackles, two tackles for loss and two passes defensed.
"All-Pro Sting," rookie safety Calen Bullock, who also snagged an INT, said. "I've been calling him that since camp, and I think he's gonna go get it."
When Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle left the contest with a knee injury, Houston shifted Stingley into shadow-mode on Hill.
"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."
The former No. 3 overall pick in 2022, Stingley battled injuries much of his first two seasons, but he's coming into his own in Year 3, proving he can lock down top receivers.
The Dolphins didn't get the memo, targeting Stingley 10 times. The CB allowed just 30 yards on six catches as the nearest defender, per Next Gen Stats. The 10 targets against were his most since his rookie season. He's generated a -22.0 EPA when targeted as the nearest defender, fifth-best after Sunday's games.
"Sting is one of a kind," quarterback C.J. 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."
Sunday marked Stingley's second career game with multiple interceptions -- two in Week 13, 2023 against Denver. He joined Andre Hall as the only players in Houston franchise history to have multiple games with two-plus picks.
The ballhawk is the only player in the 撸先生AV with five-plus INTs in each of the last two seasons.
In a game in which the Texans put up just 181 total yards of offense -- fewest in a win since Week 17, 2006 -- Stingley's game-changing performance pushed Houston to 9-5. The victory, coupled with a Colts loss, secured the AFC South title for the second consecutive season.
