Giants try to keep composure with Cowboys next

For Eli Manning, the key to beating Dallas next Monday night is the same as it was for beating the Lions Sunday — patience.

The Giants had it during an up-and-down, 28-20 victory over Detroit that gave them a three-game winning streak. The offense didn’t have a turnover and was just patient enough to hang in until a big play — Ahmad Bradshaw’s 45-yard fourth-quarter run — popped.

It’s exactly what the Giants will need against a struggling 1-4 Cowboys team that will be tougher than its record.

“It’s understanding that there are going to be opportunities to hit big plays, and sometimes you just have to wait for them and you can’t force things,” Manning said after going 20-of-30 for 177 yards and two touchdowns in his second game without an interception. “Sometimes you have to learn when to quit the fight and take what they give you and be smart.”

The final 10 games will include six division tilts, making this the latest they have ever started a division schedule other than the strike-shortened year of 1982, when several were canceled.

“This is different for us,” coach Tom Coughlin said. “It’ll come rapid-fire for us now.”

Giants leaders

Passing
Eli Manning: 132-204, 1,479 yds., 64.7%, 7.25 yds./att., 10 TD, 8 INT, 11 sacks, 4 fumbles lost, 86.2 rating

Rushing
Ahmad Bradshaw: 110 att., 582 yds., 5.3 avg., 45 long, 3 TD
Brandon Jacobs: 45 att., 207 yds., 4.6 avg., 29 long, 4 TD

Receiving
Hakeem Nicks: 36 rec., 417 yds., 11.6 avg., 31 long, 6 TD
Steve Smith: 34 rec., 370 yds., 10.9 avg., 45 long, TD
Mario Manningham: 18 rec., 289 yds., 16.1 avg., 54 long, 2 TD
Bradshaw: 14 rec., 93 yds., 6.6 avg., 16 long, 0 TD
Kevin Boss: 11 rec., 177 yds., 16.1 avg., 54 yds., 0 TD