The Houston Texans face a difficult task against the Buffalo Bills on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 12, with reigning MVP Josh Allen on the other side. While Danielle Hunter, Will Anderson, and the Texans’ front will largely be responsible for him, Derek Stingley will draw his top target.
Stingley will line up across from Bills leading receiver Khalil Shakir, who has 46 receptions for 454 yards and 3 touchdowns this season, on many of his reps.
A Pro Bowler and First Team All-Pro himself in 2024, Stingley is well-equipped for the matchup.
Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr. Draws Attention Before Bills Game
GettyDerek Stingley #24 of the Houston Texans warms up before facing the Tennessee Titans.
ESPN’s Benjamin Solak delved into what makes Stingley “elite,” and pointed to, among other things, one of the best indicators of his prowess: takeaways. For Stingley, they are not chance.
“Much like the man himself, Stingley’s play style is quiet. He aligns in press coverage often, but he rarely jams opposing receivers with two hands to suffocate them off the line and disrupt their timing,” Solak wrote on November 20. “Because he doesn’t jam or lean, there’s often more space between Stingley and the receiver than other star corners allow.
“Since the start of last season, Stingley has been targeted in coverage 20-plus yards downfield 35 times, more than any other cornerback. He has allowed five catches. He has intercepted or defended the pass 16 times.”
Stingley told Solak that some receivers “may look more open than they are down the field.”
Despite being soft-spoken and claiming not to know how to trash-talk, Stingley also asserted that “most quarterbacks can’t throw that perfect pass 60 yards down the field.”
Derek Stingley Jr. Gets Good News
GettyDerek Stingley Jr. #24 of the Houston Texans looks on against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Stingley and the Texans rank No. 1 in scoring and overall defense entering this matchup. The secondary’s job, in particular, got that much easier thanks to the Bills. Buffalo will bench second-year wide receiver Keon Coleman for the second straight week.
The Texans still cannot take the Bills lightly, especially with Allen at the helm of their still-explosive offense.
“The Bills’ offense didn’t appear to miss him, as Josh Allen had a big game without Coleman in Sunday’s 44-32 win over the Buccaneers,” Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio wrote on November 19. “On Thursday night against the Texans, the Bills are likely to go with Joshua Palmer, Elijah Moore, Tyrell Shavers, Khalil Shakir and Gabe Davis as their active wide receivers.
The Texans are not overlooking the matchup.
Still, there are questions about the team’s falloff. That is as they are 5-5 with a chance to get above .500 for the first time this season. Stingley and crew are set up to make a major statement. They flustered Allen in the first meeting, which the three-time Pro Bowler acknowledged this week.
A repeat performance from Stingley and his defensive teammates could steer the Texans to another much-needed victory.
Texans Bracing for C.J. Stroud’s Return
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans on the field after facing the Seattle Seahawks.
This game is critical to the big picture for Stingley and the Texans. They have overcome their 0-3 start to get back to even on the season. They are also poised to get starting quarterback C.J. Stroud back from a three-game concussion-related absence.
The Texans have gone 2-0 with Davis Mills running the offense. Mills will reprise that role on “Thursday Night Football” against the Bills.
Getting Stroud back would elevate the Texans’ ceiling for the stretch run, though.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Texans All-Pro Derek Stingley Draws Attention Amid Good News for Bills Game appeared first on Heavy Sports.