During Sunday's victory against division-rival Philadelphia, the Giants made sure their opponents traveled down the turnpike with frowns on their faces.

Even if Donovan McNabb had suited up for the big game, New York probably would have beaten the defending NFC champions by 10 points.

Eli Manning was the reason, as he had another solid afternoon for the G-Men with 218 yards passing and three touchdowns.

Manning threw two of his three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, including a 61-yarder to Plaxico Burress that perhaps sealed Philadelphia's postseason plans.

The second-year quarterback rebounded from last week's four-interception game against Minnesota, throwing no picks versus Philly.

Sunday's win kept the Giants (7-3) tied atop the NFC East with Dallas, and halted a four-game losing streak to the Eagles, who had won seven of the last eight in the series.

"That was the motto all week from Coach Coughlin - if you want to be the champion, you have to beat the champion," said Giants running back Tiki Barber. "Regardless of what their record is, they're the four-time defending NFC East champion and we had to go through them."

The team also posted the 600th win in team history, just five days after the death of co-owner Bob Tisch.

New York shocked the Eagles in the second quarter of its 27-17 win, when special teamer David Tyree blocked a punt by Reggie Hodges. It was the first blocked punt for the Giants since Osi Umenyiora blocked two against Carolina on December 28, 2003.

Tyree had missed the previous three games with an elbow injury.

"It was a great day back," Tyree said. "Obviously, it was great to get the win, but even better since I had the opportunity to block the punt. That was my first one in the NFL."

NEWS AND NOTES

New York's defense has transformed the Giants into one of the best in the NFL. On Sunday, the squad allowed a touchdown for the first time in 24 minutes and 21 seconds. That's a span of more than 15 full quarters of play.

Wide receiver Amani Toomer and running back Tiki Barber made some history on Sunday, as the duo became the first Giants to catch 500 passes. Toomer accomplished the feat first with a 15-yard grab in the first quarter, while Barber hauled in No. 500 in the second.

"To say I was the first (to 500) is going to be something I'm definitely never going to forget," Toomer said.

Future Hall of Fame defensive end Michael Strahan competed in his 185th game to move past Lawrence Taylor and Joe Morrison for third place on the team’s all-time list.

Punter Jeff Feagles tied the NFL record for consecutive games played when he appeared in his 282nd straight game Sunday. He tied the record set by former Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Jim Marshall, who played from 1960-79.

TWO GIANTS DROP FROM LINE

Mammoth offensive linemen Luke Petitgout and Shaun O'Hara exited Sunday's game with injuries.

With Petitgout out with a knee injury and O'Hara down with an ankle problem, the Giants received much-needed support from backups Bob Whitfield and Jason Whittle.

"They did a good job," head coach Tom Coughlin said. "Bob Whitfield and Jason Whittle are veteran football players. They were ready. They could go into the game and they could perform at a high level.

Whittle and Whitfield may see some more action next Sunday versus the Seattle Seahawks.

UP NEXT: ANOTHER BIRD OF PREY

After clipping the Eagles' wings on Sunday, the Giants will try to do the same against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field.

New York has won two straight and four of the last five meetings against the Seahawks. In the last matchup on September 22, 2002, the Giants squeaked by with a 9-6 triumph.

Seattle's last win in the series was a 30-28 victory on November 5, 1995.