DeMeco Ryans Reacts to Derek Stingley Jr.'s Huge Day vs. Browns

Cooper dominated in Week 16, partly based on being able to move across the formation and away from the Texans’ best corner, who wasn’t traveling. Head coach DeMeco Ryans ensured Cooper wouldn’t burn them again.

Stingley was matched up against Cooper on 35 of his 42 routes (before Houston sat its starters), per Next Gen Stats. He allowed a single reception for -6 yards and was targeted just three times.

It was a premier performance from a player the Texans picked with the expectation of becoming a franchise cornerstone. He delivered. Ryans reacted to his performance after the win.

“Stingley, he did an unbelievable job on Cooper … He was up for the challenge, up for the matchup,” Ryans said. “That’s what playoff football is about. It’s about your playmakers stepping up and making plays, and that’s what Stingley did all day today.”

Traveling against one of the league’s most polished separators is difficult enough. Doing so after sticking to his boundary for the entire season only adds to the theatrics. On the biggest stage of his professional career, there’s an argument to be made that he was the best player on the field.

“I was just playing my game,” Stingley said. “I know if I have my technique right, my eyes right, I can get the job done.”

Houston doesn’t yet know whether it will host the Miami Dolphins or visit one of the AFC’s other division winners, but with Stingley’s performance and quarterback C.J. Stroud’s continued domination, it’s easy to feel confident against the Texans competing against anyone on their schedule.