HOUSTON – Houston Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr. has been named AFC Defensive Player of the Week, the NFL announced today. Stingley garners his second career Player of the Week honor following his two-interception performance that helped the Houston Texans capture their second consecutive AFC South Division Championship.
In Week 15, Stingley compiled five tackles, including two for loss, two interceptions and two passes defensed. He 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.
In the final frame of Sunday's contest, 'Sting' notched not one, but two interceptions while defending All-Pro WR Tyreek Hill. One interception came while defending the Texans' red zone, while the ensuing takeaway clinched a victory and allowed the offense to kneel out the remaining time in the game. The third-year cornerback is one-of-two players in the NFL this season to record multiple interceptions in the fourth quarter of a game.
On the year, Stingley has tallied 46 tackles (33 solo), including four for loss, five interceptions and 17 passes defensed, all of which mark career highs. In his young career in the month of December alone, Stingley has recorded a franchise-record six interceptions, despite missing the entire month due to injury in his rookie campaign. The accolade marks the 61st time a Texan has been named Player of the Week and 22nd time a defensive player claimed the award.
