QUARTERBACKS C

Good start, bad finish for Eli Manning (23 of 34, 236 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs). Held on to the ball too long, three ridiculous delay of game penalties and generally sluggish movements. Tony Romo was easily the best QB on the field.

RUNNING BACKS C+

There were moments early when Bran don Jacobs (23-95) actually looked tenta tive as he approached the line and was promptly hauled down by the swift Dallas defense.

WIDE RECEIVERS D

Either Plaxico Burress (4-24) was hurting more than he let on or the Cowboys were paying special attention, because he was little factor with no catches in second half.

TIGHT ENDS A+

Monster performance by Jeremy Shockey (career-high 12 catches, 129 yards, 1 TD), who hauled in everything in sight, got downfield and showed what he can do when he’s a primary target.

OFFENSIVE LINE C

Probably the worst game of the season up front. Pass protection was leaky (sea son-high five sacks allowed) and run block ing far from dominating. Key holding call on RG Chris Snee called back TD.

DEFENSIVE LINE C-

Romo’s elusiveness got the better of the pass-rush brigade. Sacks by Michael Stra han and Osi Umenyiora, but Romo had no trouble sidestepping pressure and making throws on the run.

LINEBACKERS C+

After 20-yard run by Julius Jones on the first play, Cowboys did little on the ground with Jones (11-48) or Marion Barber (12-34).

SECONDARY F

The good news: TE Jason Witten (2-12) held in check. The bad news: Mental lapses surfaced again, with Tony Curtis bla tantly free on first-quarter TD. Bad missed tackle by CB Aaron Ross on TD catch-and-run by Patrick Crayton (5-66), and Terrell Owens (6-125, 2 TDs) abused Sam Madison.

SPECIAL TEAMS C

Ahmad Bradshaw is clearly the best kick returner on the team and he showed it with dynamic 83-yard return that was called back by holding penalty on Kevin Boss.

KICKING GAME A

Jeff Feagles had four punts and none was returned at all. That’s minimizing the damage. Lawrence Tynes hit both FG at tempts.

COACHING C

Tom Coughlin took responsibility for three delay of game penalties, but either the plays aren’t getting in quickly enough from Kevin Gilbride or Manning has to pick up the pace.