In a stunning display of gridiron dominance, the Houston Texans are celebrating a trifecta of Associated Press All-Pro selections! Defensive stars Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, and Derek Stingley Jr. have earned prestigious honors, solidifying the team's rise to prominence. This is a big deal, and here's why…
Will Anderson Jr. and Derek Stingley Jr. have been named to the AP First Team, while Danielle Hunter secured a spot on the Second Team. This marks a significant achievement for the Texans, showcasing their talent and teamwork. But what does this really mean?
This is the first time since 2018 that two Texans have been named to the AP First Team, when WR DeAndre Hopkins and DE J.J. Watt achieved the feat. It's also the first time since 2016 that the Texans have had three players on the All-Pro team, highlighting the team's consistent growth.
Stingley's First Team selection is especially noteworthy, as he's the only cornerback in franchise history to earn this honor. Anderson joins an elite club, alongside Watt and Stingley, as the only defensive players in team history to receive this recognition. Additionally, Anderson and Hunter are the first edge duo since 2010 (Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora) to both receive AP All-Pro honors in the same season. That's some serious company!
Stingley's performance has been nothing short of exceptional. He's now a two-time AP First Team All-Pro, joining WRs Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins, and DE J.J. Watt as the only players in franchise history to achieve this. Starting all 17 games, Stingley recorded 36 tackles, 15 passes defensed, and four interceptions. The Texans' defense, with Stingley at the helm, finished the season ranked first in the NFL in total yards allowed per game (277.2), second in points allowed per game (17.4), and allowed the third-lowest passer rating (76.2). He's the only cornerback in the NFL with at least four interceptions in each of the past three seasons (2023-2025).
In Week 16, Stingley earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week, with two tackles, a forced fumble, and a 31-yard interception return for a touchdown. This was his first career interception returned for a touchdown, and he became the only player in franchise history to achieve this feat in the same game.
Anderson's first AP First Team All-Pro honor comes after a season of career highs. He started all 17 games, recording 54 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 12.0 sacks, and three forced fumbles. He also had his first fumble recovery touchdown in Week 7. Anderson's six-game sack streak (Weeks 6-11) tied the franchise single-season record. His 20 tackles for loss ranked fourth in the AFC, and his 12.0 sacks ranked fifth.
According to Next Gen Stats, Anderson had the second-most quarterback pressures in the NFL (85) and the third-highest pressure rate (20.5 percent) among players with at least 200 pass-rush snaps. He also set the NFL record for most third-down pressures (48) in a single season in the Next Gen Stats era. That's a lot of pressure!
Hunter earns his second AP Second Team All-Pro honor, with 15.0 sacks, the third-most in the NFL and the second-highest single-season total of his career. He finished with 54 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. Hunter's 7.0 sacks from Weeks 10-12 tied for the most by any player in franchise history over a three-game span. His Week 10 performance, earning him AFC Defensive Player of the Week, included a career-high-tying 3.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, and one forced fumble. He became the only player in franchise history and the third player in the NFL this season to record at least 3.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, and one forced fumble in a single game. Hunter has now reached 14.0 or more sacks four times in his career, a feat achieved by only 13 players in NFL history.
But here's where it gets controversial: Some might argue about the specific defensive schemes or the impact of individual performances versus team success. What do you think? Are these All-Pro selections a true reflection of the Texans' defensive prowess? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
