Ahead of a matchup with Cincinnati, OL John Simpson said HC Aaron Glenn's message this week was a simple one.
"Focus on getting one percent better at whatever you do," Simpson said. "Whether it be meetings, practice, walkthroughs, hot tub, cold tub. Whatever it is, just get one percent better and let the rest take care of itself."
The Jets are searching for their first win and offensively, looking to bounce back from two consecutive games without a TD. Simpson and the O-line will have their work cut out for them this week as they prepare to face a Bengals' defense featuring DE Trey Hendrickson, who could return to the field Sunday after missing Week 7 with injury. Hendrickson led the NFL with 17.5 sacks in 2024.
"He's one of those guys that can potentially be a game wrecker if you let him," Simpson said. "So, just homing in on pass pro and just knowing where he is when he's out there is the most important thing for us. Communicating, making sure everybody's on the same page so that we know our assignments and we can get things done."
Homecoming for DL Jowon Briggs
After recording his second sack of the season last week against Carolina, DL Jowon Briggs will look to keep things rolling in front of a hometown crowd in Week 8.
Briggs was born and raised in Cincinnati, and he played his final two collegiate seasons at the University of Cincinnati. He will return to Paycor Stadium to play on a field he has played on several times before -- most recently when his former pro team, the Cleveland Browns, visited their division rival Bengals in 2024.
"It being my hometown, I'm just kind of ready to get after it," Briggs said. "Get out there and help the defense do something good."
Briggs has been an integral part of defensive improvement over the past two games, and DC Steve Wilks said Thursday "he's progressing well."
"You saw what he did last week for us, coming up with a sack," Wilks said. "That's another great pickup that we got to be able to give us some size inside. And a guy that has, in my opinion, a good skill set that he can rush the passer."
Despite back-to-back strong performances, Briggs said there is more the unit can do to help the team secure its first win.
"We're still working on finding maybe that one more play," he said. "That one punch out, that one fumble recovery, that one pick for a touchdown that can really just set us over the edge."
Familiar Faces Clash with Veteran QB Joe Flacco
When you've spent 18 years in the league and played for six different teams, you're bound to encounter some familiar faces during weekly matchups
Joe Flacco recently joined the Bengals after he was acquired via a trade with the Browns, and Jowon Briggs -- his former teammate for a summer in Cleveland -- is looking forward to facing the veteran QB.
"I've got insurmountable respect for Super Bowl champion Joe Flacco," Briggs said. "The guy -- he knows football like the back of his hand. … He's a great leader. It would put a big smile on my face for me to get to Joe."
Veteran QB Tyrod Taylor – who is questionable with a knee injury-- notably began his 15-year, seven-team career working closely with Flacco. Taylor was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2011 and served as Flacco's backup for the first 4 years of his career.
"It's awesome to see Flacco still playing at a high level," Taylor said. "He mentored me when I first came into the league. … I spent a lot of time with him, [we're] still friends to this day. Happy to see the success he's had over his long journey and I'm excited for him. Just not this week."
