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.

"I didn't know he was in the end zone," said defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy, who forced the fumble. "I didn't know the ball was fumbled or if he was just running. I saw it when I looked at the replay up on the screen."

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.

Dallas had the ball once more but couldn't move past the Giants' 44 at the final whistle.

PANTHERS 24, FALCONS 6

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — DeShaun Foster scored two touchdowns and became the first Carolina back to go over 100 yards this season while helping Carolina (9-3) snap a three-game losing streak against Atlanta (7-5).

"The line blocking was OK," center Jeff Mitchell said. "But DeShaun, he was ridiculous."

Carolina took a two-game NFC South lead over the Falcons.

BEARS 19, PACKERS 7

CHICAGO — Charles Tillman returned one interception of Brett Favre 95 yards to set up a field goal, and Nathan Vasher carried a fourth-quarter pick 45 yards for a clinching touchdown as Chicago (9-3) beat Green Bay (2-10).

Chicago prevented Favre from throwing a TD pass against them — he'd done so in an NFL-record 26 straight games.

"All the years I've played against them, I think defensively this is as well as I've seen them play," Favre said.

BUCCANEERS 10, SAINTS 3

BATON ROUGE, La. — Ronde Barber intercepted Aaron Brooks three times and Chris Simms hit Joey Galloway for the only touchdown Tampa Bay (8-4) needed against New Orleans (3-9).

On New Orleans' final drive, Brooks threw for the end zone on what could have been a tying score when Barber picked off the pass.

"As we said coming in here, the great players are going to play great in December and down the stretch, and he did that," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said of Barber.

CARDINALS 17, 49ERS 10

SAN FRANCISCO — Kurt Warner was 29 of 45 for 354 yards, and Anquan Boldin had 11 catches for 156 yards, including the go-ahead TD in the fourth quarter, as Arizona (4-8) beat San Franciso (2-10).

Boldin turned a short catch on third-and-20 into a 54-yard TD rumble, avoiding five tackles.

"I made (about) two guys miss, and it just opened up from there," Boldin said.

VIKINGS 21, LIONS 16

DETROIT — Brad Johnson was 17 of 23 for 256 yards with two touchdown passes, Michael Bennett scored twice and Minnesota (7-5) won its fifth straight.

"He's throwing it on time and he's throwing it precise," receiver Koren Robinson said. "He's like Greg Maddux."

Detroit (4-8) didn't seem to be sparked by Dick Jauron in his debut as interim coach.

REDSKINS 24, RAMS 9

ST. LOUIS — Clinton Portis ran for 136 yards on 27 carries with a pair of touchdowns and Washington (6-6) snapped a three-game losing streak.

Seattle clinched the NFC West thanks to the Rams' loss. Washington held St. Louis (5-7) to a season-worst 210 total yards.

"I'm proud to be where we are, to tell you the truth" Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said.