EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — With injured quarterback Tony Romo watching from the sideline, the New York Giants had no problem burying the Dallas Cowboys in more ways than one.
Eli Manning threw three touchdown passes, Brandon Jacobs rushed for 117 yards and a score and the Giants defense took advantage of Romo’s absence to intercept three passes in a 35-14 victory Sunday.
The win was the fifth straight at home for the Giants (7-1) and it allowed the Super Bowl champions to open a three-game lead over the defending NFC East champion Cowboys (5-4) in the division.
The loss was the third in four games for Dallas, which fell into last place in the division behind Washington (6-2) and Philadelphia (5-3), not something anyone expected from the team many considered the favorite to win the NFC.
Manning threw touchdown passes of 13 yards to Kevin Boss, 5 to Steve Smith and 11 to Amani Toomer, with the scores by Smith and Toomer being set up by Corey Webster’s interceptions of Brad Johnson, Romo’s replacement.
The Cowboys turned over the ball four times, with Terrell Owens adding a rare fumble in the second quarter at the Giants 10-yard line.
