Dayne rushed for 108 yards and scored the go-ahead 3-yard touchdown after Aikman threw his team record-tying fifth interception as the New York Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys 19-14 Sunday.

"I've never had a day like that,'' said Aikman, whose 12-year credentials are highlighted by three Super Bowl championships, virtually every Cowboys passing record and a recent run of concussions.

Jason Sehorn's interception over Raghib Ismail comes at a price; he was hurt on the play.(AP)

Kerry Collins added a short touchdown pass and Brad Daluiso kicked two field goals as the Giants (5-2) won their second in a row heading into the bye week.

Both of New York's touchdowns were set up by interceptions, with Aikman throwing the ball right to linebacker Mike Barrow at the Dallas 38, leading to Dayne's TD early in the fourth quarter. A third pickoff stopped a second-quarter Dallas drive inside the Giants 20.

"Every great player goes through some form of a slump,'' Barrow said. "Their character is revealed by how they come back. If I was a betting person, I wouldn't bet against Aikman.''

Despite Dallas' 2-4 record and those calling for Randall Cunningham to replace Aikman, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones expects Aikman to start next week at home against Arizona.

Cowboys coach Dave Campo said he never considered lifting Aikman, who finished 22-of-42 for 211 yards and a touchdown, a 1-yard toss to fullback Robert Thomas.

The TD pass, set up by a 90-yard kickoff return by Jason Tucker, and a 3-yard touchdown run by Emmitt Smith on Dallas' next series gave the Cowboys a 14-13 lead going into the fourth quarter.

But Aikman, who had thrown four interceptions once in his 12-year career, never saw Barrow in throwing his fifth.

Seven plays later, Dayne capped the best day of his rookie season by plowing up the middle for the go-ahead touchdown. A two-point conversion run by Tiki Barber failed.

"He's a great explosive back and all he needs is touches,'' Giants tackle Lomas Brown said of Dayne, who had 21 carries.

"I just want to be a member of a winning team,'' Dayne said. "I don't care if I run for 4 yards, 30 yards or 100.''

The Giants earlier squandered two other scoring chances, and that almost came back to haunt them. Aikman drove the Cowboys from their 23 to the New York 14, and a roughing-the-quarterback call against Keith Hamilton with 11 seconds to go gave Dallas a first down at the 14. But following a sack, Aikman's last-second toss to the end zone was batted away by Jessie Armstead.

"You get down on yourself,'' said Aikman, who has thrown seven interceptions in the last two games. "You get disappointed in yourself. I expect more out of myself. As far as losing confidence as far as what I can do, that won't ever happen.'

The only other time Aikman threw four interceptions was in 1989, his rookie season, against Green Bay.

Four interceptions on Sunday came in the first half, all on bad throws, including a game-opening bomb that Jason Sehorn picked off. Sehorn broke a rib under his collarbone on the play and left the game.

The Giants didn't get on the board until Dave Thomas got the third interception at the Dallas 21. An 11-yard run by Dayne got a first-and-goal, and Collins capped the drive by finding tight end Pete Mitchell all alone on a fourth-down rollout from the 1 midway through the second quarter.

Aikman had a chance to tie the game late in the half, but he underthrew a wide-open Damon Hodge. Reggie Stephens intercepted in the end zone.

A 47-yard run by Barber on the opening series of the second half set up the first of two short third-quarter field goals by Daluiso.

The 10-0 advantage didn't last long as Dallas' special teams and Smith combined to score touchdowns on consecutive possessions.

Notes

• Three other Cowboys have thrown five interceptions: Steve Pelluer, Danny White and Eddie Lebaron.
• Dallas had scored on all 13 possessions inside the 20 before to Sunday, but converted only two of four.
• The touchdown by Robert Thomas was the first of his career.
• The Giants are 11-1 in games before a bye. They are 2-9 coming out of the break, including losses in the last four.
• Giants receiver Amani Toomer, who set a record with 79 catches last year, was benched in the second quarter and replaced by Joe Jurevicius.

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