Giants grades: Other than special teams, a tough day for Giants

OFFENSE: D

Andre Brown ran for 127 yards and Brandon Jacobs added another 75, but the two failures to punch the ball into the end zone on first-and-goal situations in the first half cost the Giants dearly. Eli Manning completed just 16 of 30 passes for 174 yards. Say what you want about the call on the Victor Cruz fumble, but the Giants gave the Cowboys a touchdown on a turnover, their third such giveaway against Dallas this season. The Giants converted only 3 of 12 third downs, were 1-for-2 on fourth down and went three-and-out on two of their three possessions in the fourth quarter.

DEFENSE: C

The unit that had been behind the turnaround from 0-6 to contention faltered on the final drive of the game and allowed the Cowboys to score the winning points. Antrel Rolle, who had an earlier interception as a safety, had to move to the nickel because of Trumaine McBride's injury, and that weakened the secondary tremendously. For the first time since Week 6, the Giants allowed a passing touchdown; in fact, they gave up two, both to Jason Witten. The Cowboys had five first downs via Giants penalties.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B

Steve Weatherford performed so well that he had two punts that would have been career bests, 67 and 68 yards. Josh Brown was solid on his two field goals despite a churning wind. Rueben Randle had a long return that was negated by an illegal block against Damontre Moore. The Giants nearly recovered a kickoff that was bobbled by DE Everette Brown, who had called for a fair catch.

COACHING: D

On a day when the passing game never seemed to click, the Giants too often seemed to turn their back on a running game that was producing. The Giants had four runs of at least 12 yards. They should have put more pressure on Romo on the final drive to compensate for their coverage problems. The Giants were flagged for 11 penalties for 81 yards.