Giants Making Strides

The New York Giants aren’t just winning. They’re doing the kind of things winning teams do.

Like making a stand on fourth and one deep in their own territory, then again at midfield in the fourth quarter. Like using a drive-reviving defensive penalty as a springboard to the go-ahead touchdown. And not giving up on Tiki Barber after a slow start, leading to a 58-yard run on that pivotal drive.

Barber finished with 122 yards rushing and a touchdown and Steve Christie kicked four field goals, lifting the Giants past the Dallas Cowboys, 26-10, Sunday.

It was New York’s fourth win, all in a row since losing its opener. The significant part is that the Giants won only four games last season, so this sends them into their week off with a lot to celebrate.

Cowboy Coach Bill Parcells blamed himself for the failed fourth-down attempts, although he added he wouldn’t have needed to try creating momentum if Dallas (2-2) had played better.

In addition to 11 penalties, the Cowboys’ first fourth-down failure left them with no points after driving to New York’s five and they squandered a two-minute drill before halftime with a fumble that led to Christie’s second field goal.

“We’re just stupid,” Parcells said. “We’re just dumb.”

A tight game for 2 1/2 quarters tilted toward the Giants when a questionable roughing-the-punter penalty gave them a fresh start from their 28.

Barber had only 26 yards in 10 carries at that point, but came back with his long burst down the left sideline. Two personal fouls against the Cowboys kept the drive alive and Kurt Warner capped it with a one-yard pass to Jeremy Shockey, putting New York ahead, 13-10.

Barber had 76 yards in five receptions in addition to his 23 carries.