"Our guys rose up again. They're mentally tough," said coach Tom Coughlin, whose Giants (11-1) won their seventh consecutive game and lead the NFC East over the Dallas Cowboys (8-4) and the Redskins (7-5).

"We are upset about what happened to Plaxico, and hopefully he's going to be fine. ... That's our first concern," Coughlin said. "Once that was taken care of -- we knew he was going to be OK -- I think the guys got back to focusing on the reason we were here."

Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce was with Burress on Friday night at a New York club. The Associated Press described it as an accidental, self-inflicted gunshot wound to the leg.

Pierce was asked after the game about how the team dealt with the "distraction" of the incident involving Burress, who was not going to play Sunday because of a hamstring injury.

"This 'distraction' gave us a win 23-7," Pierce said.

Before the game, Giants general manager Jerry Reese said Pierce had been interviewed by NFL security.

"I had a job to do. I'm a professional Football player. My job on Sunday is to focus on that, and that's all I focused on," said Pierce, who helped hold NFL rushing leader Clinton Portis to 22 yards on 11 carries.

"I am not answering any questions (from the news media) about the incident that happened Friday night."

The Giants had 108 rushing yards, below their season average of 164.9. But Manning set the tone on the first drive when he and receiver Amani Toomer connected on a 40-yard touchdown pass in cold, rainy conditions.

Against a Redskins defense geared to stop the run, Manning hit 21 of 34 passes for 305 yards. It was his first 300-yard passing game since he threw for 303 against the Atlanta Falcons on Oct.15, 2007.

Toomer had five receptions for 85 yards. Burress' replacement, Domenik Hixon, had five catches for 71 yards.

"If a team is going to load up the box and stop the run, you're going to have to throw the ball," Manning said. " ... We did a good job throwing when we had to today."

Manning said the Giants also were reassured by their coach that Burress' injury was not life-threatening.

"Once we got into the stadium, I think the guys did a good job of understanding we've got a game to play," Manning said.

The game began on an emotional note for the Redskins. In a pregame ceremony, the late Sean Taylor was inducted into the team's Ring of Fame at FedEx Field. Taylor died Nov.27, 2007, of a gunshot wound suffered during a break-in at his Florida home.

"I think this is a classy organization. That's the way you're supposed to pay tribute to a fallen soldier," Portis said.

Former Redskins coach Joe Gibbs returned for the tribute. Many fans wore Taylor's No.21 jersey.

"You always see 21s in this stadium," said Portis, who ran out with the team flag during the Taylor ceremony.

"They didn't just come out today for the dedication. Fans always represent for Sean; and teammates and players, they represent, also."