EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – For once, the New York Giants offense didn't have to manufacture a last-minute comeback. Instead, their defense stopped one by Dallas.
The Giants built a 17-0 lead yesterday and then hung on to beat the Cowboys 17-10 to take sole possession of first place in the NFC East.
In four games this season, New York (8-4) has rallied from deficits late in the fourth quarter behind the timely passing of Eli Manning. With the second-year quarterback struggling yesterday, the Giants relied on a defense that produced four sacks, two interceptions and two fumbles and pressured Drew Bledsoe into a 15-for-39 performance.
Antonio Pierce returned one of the fumbles for a 12-yard touchdown on the first play of the second half to give New York a 17-0 lead.
The play loomed huge when Dallas (7-5) closed within a touchdown in the third quarter on a 34-yard field goal by Billy Cundiff and a 7-yard touchdown pass from Bledsoe to Terry Glenn.
New York also won despite a shaky performance from Manning, who was 12-for-31 for 152 yards and was intercepted twice by Dallas cornerback Aaron Glenn, filling in for the injured Anthony Henry. Tiki Barber gained 115 yards on 30 carries for the Giants.
The Cowboys face an uphill battle in the division race with games left against Kansas City at home, at Washington and Carolina before closing at home against St. Louis.
