EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The foundation for stunning the world champions was simple: No mistakes.
The Cowboys didn't execute that part of the plan for one half with Brad Johnson at quarterback. When week-long speculation became reality and Brooks Bollinger replaced Johnson at halftime, their fortunes didn't improve.
And the New York Giants did what many expected Sunday against their battered rivals, playing a third consecutive week without Tony Romo and several key players. They won convincingly at the chilly Meadowlands, 35-14, to take a 2½-game lead and a tentative head-to-head advantage over the defending NFC East champion Cowboys with seven games left.
The chances of successfully retaining that title are not lost, but at 5-4, the Cowboys enter their bye week in last place behind the Giants (7-1), Redskins (6-2) and Eagles (5-3).
"We know where we are and it's not where we planned to be at all," team owner Jerry Jones said. "It's very disappointing. We just didn't look anything like we had hoped to look."
Both in performance and personnel. The Cowboys hoped the 40-year-old Johnson could repeat last week's turnover-free feat against Tampa Bay and get another dominant effort from their defense, but the Giants foiled each.
The Cowboys gained only 183 yards of total offense and tallied only 11 first downs. Defensively they allowed a season-high 200 rushing yards, including 117 from bruising back Brandon Jacobs, and the Giants scored touchdowns on all five red zone trips - though rookie cornerback Mike Jenkins kept things interesting in the second quarter by returning his first career interception for a touchdown.
But turnovers had already dug the Cowboys an early ditch and ultimately sent Johnson (5-of-11, 71 yards) to the bench.
"We never really put ourselves in position to be in the game tonight," Johnson said. "We didn't play as good as we needed to . . . I didn't do my part."
Johnson's two interceptions led to Giants touchdowns, and the first created an early 14-0 deficit after his quarterback counterpart, Eli Manning, directed a quick TD drive on the game's opening series.
"The first drive really hurt us," Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips said. "We come in here and want to play well and they score on the first drive, and then they get a turnover and score on their (third) drive.
"We're playing from behind, which when you have your backup quarterbacks in there it's not a good position."
Two weeks ago, Johnson's mistakes helped St. Louis build an insurmountable lead. This time, Phillips turned to Bollinger -- the team's typical third-stringer who took a few first-team practice reps earlier in the week -- for an offensive spark on the opening drive of the third quarter.
Bollinger's first throw was picked off by Giants safety James Butler. Two plays later Jacobs rumbled 17 yards for a TD to put New York ahead 28-7.
"It's a tough one. It's disappointing," Bollinger said of the pass intended for tight end Jason Witten, who played into the second half with a fractured rib that kept him out of practice all week. "I was just in a little bit of a hurry and it was a little quick for Witt. Poor decision."
Two series later, Bollinger (9 of 16, 63 yards) drove the offense 75 yards in 16 plays and hit Terrell Owens for his first TD in four games. But the 8-minute, 24-second drive -- nearly matching the Cowboys' entire time of possession in the first half -- was countered by another Giants scoring drive that ended a potential comeback.
"They played well -- hats off to them," linebacker Bradie James said. "The only way we could have won is if we would've almost played perfect. But we didn't and that's why we lost."
Not exactly the potential confidence-booster Phillips and Jones had spoke of before a 13-day layoff.
But physically, the team's bye week couldn't arrive at a better time. Romo (fractured pinkie finger), cornerback Terence Newman (abdominal surgery), running back Felix Jones (hamstring) and Kyle Kosier (foot) all could return as soon as Nov. 16 at Washington, and an additional week of rest will benefit walking-wounded stars like Witten.
"I think this open date should help us there mentally to come back," Phillips said. "Of course, physically we've got to clean up some things."
Like the four turnovers (three interceptions, one lost fumble). Or the nine penalties for 55 yards.
The Cowboys realize a healthier roster should help considerably the next time they face each of their three NFC East foes, but they can't count on that alone to keep them in the division hunt.
"We have to stick together and get back to work," Witten said, "and use this bye week to get better more than get healthy. We've got to get better."
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