EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Halfway through the season, it's safe to say the Super Bowl champion New York Giants are the team to beat in the NFC, and the injury ravaged Dallas Cowboys — the preseason favorite — will need to make a run after their bye just to make the postseason.

Eli Manning threw three touchdown passes, Brandon Jacobs rushed for 117 yards and a score and the Giants defense took advantage of the continued absence of the injured Tony Romo to intercept three passes in a 35-14 victory yesterday.

"When a football team comes in here and it is kind of depleted as far as injuries go, you don't want to give them any sunlight," said Giants defensive end Justin Tuck. "You don't want to give them any light whatsoever."

In winning their fifth straight at home, the Giants (7-1) were in control from the start in opening a three-game lead over the defending NFC East champion Cowboys (5-4) in the division.

"It was important for us to win the game and be 2-0 in our division," Giants middle linebacker Antonio Pierce said. "When we were 4-0, somebody asked me about an undefeated season. I just think about being undefeated in our division. That's 6-0. That's the most important record to us. This is another step toward that."

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).

However, nobody expected the Cowboys to either lose Romo for three games with a broken pinkie or to have safety Roy Williams and punter Mat McBriar lost to season-ending injuries or to have cornerback Pacman Jones suspended again.

"We still have seven games left and we need to go on a run," Cowboys linebacker Bradie James said.

Despite getting three turnovers and a score from the defense, the Cowboys were still blown out.

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.

BEARS 27, LIONS 23

CHICAGO — Rex Grossman came off the bench to replace injured quarterback Kyle Orton and scored the go-ahead touchdown with 5:36 left, helping Chicago rally from a 10-point deficit for a victory over winless Detroit.

Matt Forte had 126 yards rushing for the Bears (5-3), who lost Orton to a right ankle injury and safety Mike Brown to a calf problem late in the first half. They didn't lose the game, though.

They can thank Grossman and Forte, who ran for 40 of Chicago's 55 yards on the go-ahead drive. His 19-yard dash put the ball on the 1 and Jason McKie got it back there with a 5-yarder after an illegal procedure penalty, setting up Grossman's 1-yard plunge that put Chicago up 27-23.

With Daunte Culpepper reportedly about to sign with Detroit (0-8), Dan Orlovsky was 28 of 47 for 292 yards and two touchdowns but threw two interceptions.

CARDINALS 34, RAMS 13

ST. LOUIS — Kurt Warner and Arizona used a 24-point second quarter to win another one in the Cardinals' former home city.

The Cardinals have won four in a row in St. Louis, their home from 1960-87, and four straight over the Rams overall.

Arizona (5-3) was in total command after scoring 10 points on turnovers and adding a pair of long scoring plays on touchdowns by Tim Hightower and Jerheme Urban. Warner had his 45th 300-yard passing game, throwing for two TDs to beat the team he led to two Super Bowls from 1999-2001.

The Rams (2-6) have lost two straight after winning their first two games under new coach Jim Haslett.

EAGLES 26, SEAHAWKS 7

SEATTLE — Donovan McNabb rebounded from early problems to complete 28 of 43 passes for 349 yards and two touchdowns, one to tackle Todd Herremans, and rally Philadelphia.

Brent Celek, playing because L.J. Smith was out with a concussion, set an Eagles record for yards receiving by a tight end in a regular-season game with 131 on six receptions.

Philadelphia (5-3) stayed two games behind the first-place New York Giants in the NFC East, and moved ahead of Dallas (5-4) for third in the division.

The Seahawks (2-6) punted 10 consecutive times — seven after three-and-outs.