ATLANTA -- Keanu Neal isn't walking through that door anytime soon. Neither is Ricardo Allen. Deion Jones might be back, but sometime in later November. Regardless, the Atlanta Falcons needed a stronger effort from their depleted defense sooner than later.
They got it Monday night, thanks in large part to the inspired return of defensive tackle Grady Jarrett.
It wasn't a flawless outing as the Falcons gave up some chunk pass plays and dropped another interception, but there were defensive moments to build upon -- perhaps for the rest of the season -- in an important 23-20 win against the struggling New York Giants (1-6).