The New York Jets entered Sunday’s Week 13 contest versus the Atlanta Falcons shorthanded at cornerback. Nickel defensive back Jarvis Brownlee was a late addition to the injury report and ended up missing the 27-24 win over Atlanta (4-8). Luckily for head coach Aaron Glenn’s defense, cornerback Brandon Stephens stepped up to the plate.Stephens has served as the team’s top cornerback since the Sauce Gardner blockbuster trade. Jets (3-9) rookie cornerback Azareye’h Thomas and Stephens each played a sizable 68 snaps apiece as the boundary defenders. Isaiah Oliver (41) and Ja’Sir Taylor (30) split snaps as the nickel in Brownlee’s absence.Stephens was the Jets’ highest-graded defender on Sunday (73.4), according to Pro Football Focus. The feisty cornerback who GM Darren Mougey signed to a three-year contract worth $36 million in free agency allowed just one reception on four targets for four receiving yards despite playing 37 snaps in coverage.Brandon Stephens had another excellent game in Week 13.Stephens was PFF’s highest-graded #Jets defender, posting a 73.4 PFF grade and allowing just 1 catch for 4 yards on 4 targets.Stephens’ 74.7 season grade ranks 8/84 qualified CBs (min. 385 snaps). Since Week 4, only…— Justin Fried (@JustinTFried) December 1, 2025The Falcons were without superstar wide receiver Drake London due to injury. Stephens took full advantage, with Atlanta’s Darnell Mooney elevated to the Falcons’ WR1 role. Tight end Kyle Pitts and running back Bijan Robinson were the Falcons’ most productive pass catchers. Mooney had just two catches for 25 yards, making him their fourth-most productive pass catcher.Stephens essentially took Mooney out of the game.This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets CB Brandon Stephens stepped up in Week 13 win over Falcons