Offense, defense, and special teams.
The New York Giants produced in all three departments en route to a 27-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night at MetLife Stadium.
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Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie got the ball rolling with a 58-yard interception return for a touchdown early in the second half; it was the first of three picks thrown by Dallas quarterback Matt Cassel on consecutive drives.
Ex-Cowboy Dwayne Harris then took a kickoff 100 yards to the house, and the Giants recovered a muffed punt in the final minutes to seal the victory.
It all added up to a gritty response by a Giants team coming off a disappointing Monday night loss in Philadelphia, as well as the memory of letting a fourth-quarter lead slip away in the opener against Dallas.
"It means a lot," Rodgers-Cromartie said. "The first time we played [the Cowboys], we go out and we should have won.
You have a chance at the end and it's the same thing, but they made a mistake and we were there to recover and finish the game. It's definitely a game it took all three phases from the offense, defense, and special teams."
IT WAS OVER WHEN
Signed to the active roster on Oct. 7, former practice squad wide receiver Myles White recovered a muffed punt return by Cole Beasley with 1:26 left in a one-possession game. The Giants took over, and Manning took a knee for the victory.
GAME BALL
Tom Coughlin joined Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Owen (153) as the only head coaches in franchise history to reach 100 regular-season victories.
WHAT THE WIN MEANS FOR THE GIANTS
Nearing the midway point of the season, the Giants have sole possession of first place in the NFC East. Philadelphia, which had a share of the lead heading into Week 7, lost 27-16 in Carolina on Sunday night to fall to 3-4. Having won four of their last five games, the Giants travel to New Orleans in Week 8 for the first of back-to-back road trips.
"Well, it keeps us relevant," Coughlin said. "It keeps us in the hunt. We've split with Dallas now. We've lost to Philly, we've beaten Washington, so in the division, that's the most direct route to where we want to go."
WHAT THE LOSS MEANS FOR THE COWBOYS
Previously unbeaten in the division, the Cowboys lost their fourth-straight game overall since Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo broke his collarbone in Week 2. Also playing without All-Pro wider receiver Dez Bryant, who suffered a foot injury in the opener against the Giants, Dallas hosts Seattle in Week 8.
"For me, it's two things," Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said. "Number one – I thought we were ready to play. We missed a chance here to win the game. We need to win them badly. We do have a task ahead of us to really put this season where we want it to be as we add players, whether it be Dez or whether it be Romo."
Giants.com hands out their game balls after the Giants top the Cowboys
HEAD COACH TOM COUGHLIN With the 27-20 win over the Cowboys, Coughlin joined Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Owen (153) as the only head coaches in franchise history to reach 100 regular-season victories.
WR/KR DWAYNE HARRIS In addition to a pair of catches for 43 yards, Harris scored on a 100-yard kickoff return to break a tie game in the fourth quarter. It tied the longest kickoff return in franchise history.
KICKER JOSH BROWN With two on Sunday, Brown broke his own franchise record with 19 consecutive made field goals.
SAFETY BRANDON MERIWEATHER For the second consecutive week, Meriweather grabbed an interception for the Giants against an NFC East opponent. Big Blue notched interceptions on three consecutive drives with Matt Cassel under center.
RB ORLEANS DARKWA After having no rushes through the first six weeks, Darkwa boosted the Giants' run game with a team-high eight carries for 48 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown. The Giants rushed for a season-high 132 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry.
CB DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIE The veteran cornerback recorded two interceptions and the seventh defensive touchdown of his career on a 58-yard pick-six early in the second half. He had a 57-yard fumble return for a touchdown in Week 1 against Dallas.
WR MYLES WHITE Signed to the active roster on Oct. 7, former practice squad wide receiver Myles White recovered a muffed punt return by Cole Beasley with 1:36 left in a one-possession game.
