PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles’ offense finally got back on track, but it was their defense that paved the way for a 27-0 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday night at Lincoln Financial Field.

The Eagles recorded their largest margin of victory over their longtime divisional rival since a 35-3 win in 1980. Philadelphia shut out the Giants for the first time since a 24-0 victory in 1996.

The win allowed the Eagles (5-1) to keep pace with the Dallas Cowboys for first place in NFC East. The Giants, who hoped to leave South Philadelphia with a share of first place in the division, headed back up the New Jersey Turnpike at 3-3 and in third place.

The Eagles’ pass rush harassed New York quarterback Eli Manning all night. Philadelphia recorded five sacks — three by linebacker Connor Barwin — and put constant pressure on Manning, who completed 13 of 23 passes for 151 yards. Strong defensive play gave the Eagles’ offense good field position for most of the game.

Philadelphia quarterback Nick Foles completed 21 of 34 passes for 248 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy, who came into the game averaging just 54 rushing yards per game, had 85 yards by halftime and finished with 149 yards on 22 carries.

The Eagles took a 20-0 lead into their locker room at halftime, but a mistake by Foles early in the third quarter opened the door for a possible Giants comeback.

Foles threw a pass that was intercepted by cornerback Zack Bowman and returned 18 yards to the Eagles’ 21, but New York couldn’t cash in on the gift. The Giants pushed the ball to the Eagles’ 3-yard line, but wide receiver Victor Cruz couldn’t hold onto Manning’s fourth-down pass, and adding injury to insult, Cruz was hurt on the play. He was carted off the field and later was diagnosed with a torn patellar tendon in his right knee.

And if things couldn’t get any worse for the Giants, the Eagles then drove 97 yards in just eight plays, scoring on running back Darren Sproles’ 15-yard sweep that made it 27-0. The Giants never threatened after that.

The Eagles took the opening kickoff and moved downfield as Foles completed four straight passes, but the drive stalled on the Giants 13 and Cody Parkey kicked a 31-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead with 10:55 left in the first quarter.

The Eagles stopped the Giants’ first drive after a sack by Barwin and once again their offense marched down field. This time, Philadelphia made it all the way to the end zone when a 23-yard pass to tight end Zach Ertz on third-and-8 kept the drive alive. The Eagles scored when Ertz made a diving catching in the corner of the end zone from 15 yards out to give the Eagles a 10-0 lead with 3:56 left in the opening period.

The Eagles made it 17-0 in the second quarter when Foles found tight end James Casey wide open in the end zone with 9:10 left in the period, and after the Eagles defense dug in again, they added another three points on another a Parkey field goal, this time from 45 yards. That made it 20-0 with 4:25 left in the first half.

NOTES: Giants RB Rashad Jennings (knee) was deactivated. Rookie Andre Williams took his place in the starting lineup. … Eagles LB Mychal Kendricks (calf) missed his fourth consecutive game. … Giants QB Eli Manning has a winning record against every NFC East team except the Eagles — he is 9-13 against them. Manning holds a 14-6 all-time mark vs. the Washington Redskins and a 10-9 record vs. the Dallas Cowboys.