Portrait » Trading cornerback Eli Apple and 2016 All-Pro defensive tackle

Damon Harrison in the last week wasn't the reason the New York Giants lost to the Washington Redskins.The new-look defense Janoris Jenkins Jersey , which was also missing injured linebacker Alex Ogletree, actually was the reason the Giants had a chance to win in the 20-13 loss Sunday that sent New York (1-7) to its fifth straight defeat.It limited Alex Smith and the Washington offense to 13 points, and didn't break down until Adrian Peterson scooted around the right side on a 64-yard touchdown run with 3:06 to play to open a 20-6 lead."I think the guys stepped up," Giants linebacker Olivier Vernon said. "I think the guys that had to step up stepped up and made the plays that they needed to make. We just came up short."With Eli Manning and the offense struggling most of the game, the defense almost came up with a game-changing play late in the third quarter. Safety Landon Collins forced Peterson to fumble on a first-down run from the Giants 17.The ball hit the ground and Vernon scooped it up and ran 43 yards to the Redskins 39 with Washington clinging to a 10-3 lead.Following an incompletion, a pass to Odell Beckham Jr., for a 2-yard loss and a 9-yard pass to Bennie Fowler. The Giants had a fourth-and-3 at the Washington 32.Washington played a zone, as Giants coach Pat Shurmur expected, and tight end Evan Engram ran a 4-yard curl pattern. Manning put the pass in his hands and he let the ball slip through his fingers."I thought we had what we were looking for, we've just got to execute it," Shurmur said.On the sideline, Collins' frustration was evident."Every turnover you think is going to be different and I thought it was going to be big, but stuff happens Kerry Wynn Jersey ," Collins said. "They got a good defense over there, they're doing a great job over there with their defensive coordinator and their guys that they have over there, and they got the stops."Manning, who was sacked seven times, said no one likes losing. He said the players are working hard and competing, but they are just not making enough plays, especially on offense."We just have to keep fighting," said Manning, who threw for 316 yards but was intercepted twice by safety D.J. Swearinger. "The defense gave us a chance today and played outstanding. Offensively, we have to do our part. We are not scoring enough points. We are playing in close games and we are just not finding ways to win them, unfortunately."Beckham was at a loss to explain what's happened to the team this season. After posting a 3-13 record last season, much more was expected in Shurmur's first season."It's definitely not where I want it to be, it's definitely not what I envisioned this team being http://www.giantscheapshops.com/cheap-authentic-curtis-riley-jersey ," Beckham said of the record going into a bye week. "It's definitely not why I worked the hardest I could have worked all offseason to come back and give my very best. I just don't feel like on Sundays I get do that. If there is any frustration, that's where the frustration comes in. All I want to do is come in and do whatever I can to help this team win." There is renewed optimism for Atlanta's defense and new hope for the Falcons' season that seemed lost following a 1-4 start.The overall defensive statistics are still ugly, but two straight wins and improved play from fill-in starters combined to leave Falcons coach Dan Quinn upbeat during the team's bye week."Let's call it like it is, we hadn't performed to the level that we wanted to defensively," Quinn said Tuesday. "But this past week I really felt a shift take place. The guys that now have been playing together for a few weeks, I saw them rise to the occasion in that regard."Following the off week, the Falcons play at Washington on Nov. 4, followed by another road game at Cleveland.For a team with six players on injured reserve, including three defensive starters, improved health is especially important for the Falcons (3-4). Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett had two sacks in Monday night's 23-20 win over the New York Giants after missing two weeks with an ankle injury."Getting Grady back out there is huge," said wide receiver Julio Jones. "He's a leader. What he brings to the defensive line and his energy is huge."Jarrett says the Falcons, only two years removed from their 2016 Super Bowl season, can still make a third straight playoff appearance."We understand that everything we want is still ahead of us Rhett Ellison Jersey ," Jarrett said. "We are going to approach it that way. We are not going to let one win stay on our mind too long, and we are not going to let a loss stay on our mind. ... We have a long way to go and we are a group of tough guys that won't give up."Rookie linebacker Foye Oluokun, gaining confidence and experience in his fill-in starter's role after Deion Jones was placed on IR, had six stops against the Giants. Second-year defensive end Takk McKinley added a sack, giving him a team-leading 5 陆 for the year.Atlanta gave up only two field goals through three quarters before allowing two fourth-quarter touchdowns to the Giants."It's good. You always want to go into the bye week with a win," said cornerback Desmond Trufant. "The last two weeks we got a win, so we just have to keep grinding the momentum and get healthy."It has been a rough first half of the season for Atlanta, especially on defense.The Falcons are giving up 419.4 yards and 30.3 points per game, the third-highest averages in the league. Only Tampa Bay (32.7) and San Francisco (31.1) have allowed more points per game through seven weeks.Before the spree of injuries, the defense was on the rise after allowing only 19.7 points per game last season.The heart of the unit was ripped apart by injuries this season. Jones and safeties Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen were placed on injured reserve in the first month of the season.As new starters have become more comfortable in their roles, other players have healed. Jarrett and backup end Derrick Shelby, who had been out since Week 2 with a groin injury, returned against the Giants."Our ability to swarm to the ball felt different in this game Cheap Landon Collins Jersey ," said Quinn of the win over the Giants. "I thought it was one of the better performances by the defensive line overall, run game and pass rush. If we can make sure we stay true to our style, I think that's a big thing."The Falcons placed right guard Brandon Fusco on injured reserve on Wednesday. Offensive guard Andy Levitre and running back Devonta Freeman also are on IR.Jones (foot) and Freeman (groin) may return in the second half of the season, though Freeman may be a long shot.Quinn said Jones, sidelined since the opening week, "is meeting all the markers" and "making terrific progress." Even so, Quinn also said "We've still got a ways to go" before having the linebacker back on the field.The Falcons are in last place in the NFC South, but Trufant says there is still time to make a playoff run."We always felt we were still in it regardless of how we started," Trufant said. "We just had to get some momentum and find out what works for us and keep moving. There's a lot of ball left and we can still do a lot of damage out there."