Throughout the season, NewYorkJets.com will provide a Stock Report focused on the Jets' upcoming matchup.

This week's report features players and/or themes that are trending before the Green & White visit the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8.

📈 Jets Rookie Defensive Backs

Jets rookie CB Azareye'h Thomas played a career-high 27 snaps on defense against the Panthers in Week 7, and he flashed the versatility that made him a third-round pick (No. 73) in April's NFL Draft, surrendering 2 receptions and registering 2 PBUs.

"You see the confidence, you see [Thomas'] ability and that he's not shying away from the positions that we're putting him in," DC Steve Wilks said. "Particularly man-to-man, he has a lot of confidence, we have a lot of confidence in him along with his teammates, so I'm not worried at all about him going out there and performing."

Thomas was called into action in place of All-Pro Jets CB Sauce Gardner, who missed several snaps in Week 7 with a head injury, and he drew the challenge of defending fellow rookie, first-round pick WR Tetairoa McMillan.

The Florida State product did not allow McMillan to record a reception and broke up a pass intended for the No. 8 overall pick.

Additionally, Jets rookie S Malachi Moore played 71 snaps and recorded the first pass defense of his career. On a deep pass for Panthers WR Jimmy Horn Jr., Moore retreated in coverage and delivered a crushing hit to pry the ball loose.

For the game, the Jets pass defense allowed 177 passing yards, its their second fewest this season, and held Carolina to a season-low 19 completions.

"[Moore] doesn't shy away from the competition and the things that he has to do," Wilks said. "He gives us flexibility and to be able to play nickel, safety, dime, so I'm excited that he's out there and, you know, he's progressing and moving forward each week."

📈 Flacco-ssance

The Cincinnati Bengals began this season 2-3 before making a trade with Cleveland for 40-year-old QB Joe Flacco in Week 6.

Prior to his arrival in the Queen City, the veteran signal caller had started 6 games for the Colts in 2024 and 4 for the Browns in '25. Over those 10 combined starts, Flacco had a 3-7 record and threw 19 TDs and 13 interceptions.

Since arriving in Cincy, Flacco has had a resurgence. In his 2 starts, the Bengals are 1-1 and have averaged 25.5 points per game. Flacco has thrown for 561 yards, 5 TDs, no interceptions and posted a QB rating of 99.8 across those two games.

Last Thursday night, Flacco piloted the Bengals to a season high in points (33) and total yards (470), and seven scoring drives in 10 possessions.

In addition, in Week 7 versus Pittsburgh, Flacco became the fourth 40-something QB to record 300 passing yards, 3 or more TD passes and no interceptions in a game.

"Outstanding. Outstanding. Outstanding. [Flacco] has been outstanding, really," Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said.

📉 Finishing Drives on Offense

During offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand's media availability Thursday, he emphasized the importance of finishing drives with touchdowns instead of fields goals.

In the Jets' first 7 games, they are 16th in the NFL in red zone touchdown scoring percentage (57.14%) and have failed to score a TD in the last two games.

"What we're working on, on a daily basis, is finishing," OC Tanner Engstrand said. "That goes all the way down to every single play, is finishing the play from the start of the snap to the echo of the referee's whistle."

Engstrand stressed the need for New York's offense to limit mental errors, penalties and drops, when it gets across midfield, especially early in the game. The Jets have reached opposing team's territory 6 times in 7 opening drives this season and come away with 4 field goals and 0 touchdowns.

"We need to be sustaining those opening drives and finishing each and every drive in the endzone when we get down there," Engstrand said. "And again, that's just on us continuing to be detailed with our craft."