Best and Worst Graded Houston Texans Defensive Players vs. Miami Dolphins

The best and worst-graded Houston Texans defensive players in their win over the Miami Dolphins.

Caleb Skinner | 8 Hours Ago

Dec 1, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) warms up before the game agains the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images / Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

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Houston Texans

The Houston Texans were looking to clinch the AFC South for a second straight season and they did just that as they defended their home turf against the Miami Dolphins, coming away with a hard-fought 20-12 victory.

The Texans were also aided in winning the division by the Denver Broncos coming back to beat the Indianapolis Colts.

The Texans have been up and down on both sides of the ball this season and have had to play without two key contributors on the defensive side of the ball in Jalen Pitre, who suffered a season-ending injury, and Azeez Al-Shaair, who is in the midst of serving his three-game suspension for his hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Despite not having two of the main faces the Texans defense showed up and showed out against one of the better offenses, shutting down Tua Tagovailoa, Devon Achane, and Tyreek Hill. Houston's defense came to play and likely is the reason they came away with a victory as they turned the Dolphins over four times with two interceptions by Derek Stingley Jr.

Here is how the Houston Texans defensive players graded out in their AFC South-clinching victory over the Miami Dolphins.

Highest Graded:

1. CB Derek Stingley Jr.

Dec 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) intercepts the ball against Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images / Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 92.2

2. DE Will Anderson Jr.

Dec 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith (9) is tackled by Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) in the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images / Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 91.1

3. DT Tim Settle

Nov 18, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive tackle Tim Settle Jr. (98) reacts after a sack during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 90.2

4. CB Jimmie Ward

Oct 6, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans safety Jimmie Ward (20) reacts after making a tackle during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 82.9

5. MLB Henry To'oTo'o

Nov 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Henry To'oTo'o (39) is introduced before playing against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images / Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 81.3

Lowest Graded:

1. DT Folorunso Fatukasi

Sep 29, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi (91) and teammates react after stopping Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) on fourth down in the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images / Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 46.7

2. CB Jeff Okudah

Dec 1, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) runs the ball against Houston Texans cornerback Jeff Okudah (11) in the third quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images / Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 50.6

T-3. DE Denico Autry

Oct 27, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Denico Autry (96) in action during the game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 56.5

T-3. DT Mario Edwards Jr.

Nov 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr. (97) celebrates after a fumble recovery during the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 56.5

5. DT Tommy Togiai

Aug 26, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Tommy Togiai (93) runs onto the field against the Kansas City Chiefs prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images / Denny Medley-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 59.1

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CALEB SKINNER

Caleb is from Nashville, TN, and graduated from Florida State University in 2018 with majors in Sociology and History. He has previously written for an FSU outlet and started covering the Buccaneers in March of 2022 while co-hosting the Hear the Cannons podcast. He expanded his role with GamedayMedia by covering the Houston Texans and Washington Commanders in April of 2024. You can follow Caleb on Twitter @chsnole