Giants whip Cowboys

IRVING, Texas – The New York Giants had their way with Drew Bledsoe so much that he got benched at halftime. Tony Romo’s promotion thrilled Dallas Cowboys fans – until he threw an interception on his first snap.

That’s how it went Monday night: The Giants made all the big plays, the Cowboys made the big mistakes.

“That was really a poor performance,” coach Bill Parcells said. “A recipe for disaster. It was a real bad performance. And there’s really no excuse for it.”

Eli Manning threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress on the fifth play, LaVar Arrington sacked Bledsoe for a safety soon after and the Giants fended off several potential momentum-changers, beating the Cowboys 36-22 to stake a big head start in defense of their NFC East title.

A week after sacking Michael Vick seven times, New York got four against Bledsoe – two by Michael Strahan, tying Lawrence Taylor’s club record – and two against Romo.

More important for the Giants was their four interceptions.

Sam Madison picked off Bledsoe on a potential go-ahead pass into the end zone just before halftime, costing the statuesque quarterback his job, at least for the rest of the night.

But Parcells said it wasn’t just the one play that drove his decision to give Bledsoe the hook.

“Too many mistakes,” he said. “Too much improvisation.”

Romo was intercepted three times, with Kevin Dockery taking the last one 96 yards with 2:33 left for the game-sealing touchdown.

“I don’t feel very good about the situation right now,” Romo said. “I definitely would have liked to have performed better. Hopefully next week that will change.”

Will Romo get another chance?

“I don’t know yet,” is all Parcells would say.

The Giants clearly enjoyed themselves in this one, from their defense’s trademark jump-shot celebrations to running back Brandon Jacobs celebrating a touchdown T.O.-style – on the Cowboys’ star logo in the end zone.

New York should be happy now that it has beaten each division foe – Dallas, Washington and Philadelphia – and gets to play its next three game at home. However, the Giants also come away facing two serious injuries.

Arrington tore his left Achilles tendon and is likely out for the season, and defensive end Osi Umenyiora missed the second half with a strained hip.

Manning was 12 of 26 for 189 yards and two touchdowns, with an interception. Tiki Barber retained his NFL rushing lead by gaining 114 yards on 27 carries.

Bledsoe was 7 of 12 for 111 yards. Romo, whose only experience in four NFL season was going 2 for 2 at the end of last week’s lopsided win over Houston, was 14 of 25 for 227 yards with two touchdowns.

Giants 36, Cowboys 22

NYG—Burress 50 pass from Manning (Feely kick), 12:01.

NYG—Safety, Bledsoe sacked by Arrington in end zone, 3:59.

NYG—FG Feely 31, 11:51.

Dal—Bledsoe 1 run (Vanderjagt kick), 3:51.

NYG—Shockey 13 pass from Manning (Feely kick), 14:01.

NYG—Jacobs 3 run (Feely kick), 1:26.

Dal—Owens 8 pass from Romo (Romo run), 13:01.

NYG—FG Feely 32, 3:54.

NYG—Dockery 96 interception return (Feely kick), 2:33.

Dal—Crayton 53 pass from Romo (Vanderjagt kick), 2:03.

A—63,512.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—N.Y. Giants, T.Barber 27-114, Jacobs 10-40, Manning 2-1. Dallas, J.Jones 13-30, M.Barber 6-29, Romo 1-9, Bledsoe 1-1.

PASSING—N.Y. Giants, Manning 12-26-1-189. Dallas, Romo 14-25-3-227, Bledsoe 7-12-1-111.

RECEIVING—N.Y. Giants, T.Barber 4-32, Toomer 3-26, Burress 2-94, Shockey 2-23, Carter 1-14. Dallas, Owens 6-98, Witten 4-72, T.Glenn 4-41, Crayton 3-69, Fasano 2-16, J.Jones 1-25, M.Barber 1-17.

MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.