In all, the Cowboys made four interceptions, recovered two of five fumbles, and blocked one punt.
In Irvin's 1996 absence, the Cowboys struggled out of the gate and never recovered.
The Cowboys recover from the emotional loss of the injured Michael Irvin and play confidently against a team they think they can dominate.
Fighting to get out of the end zone late in the second quarter, Tiki Barber was initially ruled to have fumbled with the Cowboys recovering for a touchdown.
The Cowboys recovered to start a new drive, and scored three plays later, helped by a 26-yard pass interference penalty on Pierce.
The first, when the Cowboys recovered Lewis Tillman's fumble on the Cowboys' 1-yard line, prevented a Giants' touchdown.
Instead, on first down, Maurice Carthon ran, and the Cowboys stripped the ball and recovered it.
H-back Aaron Pierce made a 40-yard reception, only to have the ball stripped from his hands by cornerback Kevin Smith, after which the Cowboys recovered.
The Cowboys recovered at the Giants' 14, and Barber lay on the field before being helped to the bench.
The Cowboys recovered three fumbles, one by Smith after he had stripped the ball from Rob Moore.