IRVING, Texas — The New York Giants have the NFL's leading rusher, a quarterback-harassing defense and, suddenly, firm control of the NFC East lead.

Now, after a 36-22 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night, they play three straight games at home.

Considering their 1-2 start, the Giants (4-2) couldn't ask for a better situation.

"A couple of weeks back, we decided we've had enough," coach Tom Coughlin said.

"We are playing smarter football. We are not getting stuck in a bunch of bad situations," Eli Manning said. "Everybody has got to make a good commitment to this team."

The Cowboys could only hope things were so peaceful.

Drew Bledsoe was replaced after throwing an interception at the goal line with the Cowboys poised to take the lead just before halftime. Tony Romo wasn't any better, getting picked off on his first pass and having another of his three interceptions returned for a touchdown.

"That was really a poor performance," coach Bill Parcells said. "I'm ashamed to put a team out there that plays like that. I mean, really. We ought to apologize to the people that came out to watch that. That's not good football."

Parcells isn't sure if he'll go back to Bledsoe, the quarterback he picked first overall with the New England Patriots in 1993, or stick with Romo with the Cowboys (3-3) playing their next three games on the road.

"I have to think that over," Parcells said.

New York has won three straight since an early break. More importantly, the Giants are 3-0 against the NFC East after refusing to let Dallas gain any momentum Monday night.

"Early in the year, we made so many mistakes. We have not done that a lot in the last three weeks," Tiki Barber said. "We were able to find some focus during the bye week."

Michael Strahan had two of the Giants' six sacks against Dallas to match Lawrence Taylor's career club record at 132Z\x. There were also four interceptions, the first by Sam Madison on Bledsoe's last pass when the Giants led only 12-7.

The offensive highlights included Barber running for 114 yards, Brandon Jacobs scoring on a 3-yard run, and Manning throwing for 189 yards and two touchdowns — a 50-yarder to Plaxico Burress on the fifth play of the game providing a quick start.