updated 2:36 a.m. ET Nov. 21, 2006

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Tom Coughlin’s homecoming ended with a locker room tirade.

It’s OK coach, you’re not alone. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense tends to frustrate just about everyone.

The Jaguars wore all black, Jack Del Rio sported a blue tie, and Jacksonville’s defense followed suit Monday night with a thorough bruising of the New York Giants.

The Jaguars forced three turnovers, pressured Eli Manning into several poor throws and held Tiki Barber to a season-low 27 yards rushing in a 26-10 victory over the injury-riddled Giants. Jacksonville (6-4) rebounded from an embarrassing loss to Houston and spoiled Coughlin’s first game in Jacksonville since getting fired four years ago.

“We just didn’t play well, and there’s no excuse for it,” Coughlin said. “This was a big, disappointing game for us.”

Coughlin was much less diplomatic in the locker room, where his screaming voice could be heard through the closed doors.

“Tom had every right to be upset with us, to be mad at us,” Manning said. “We’re not playing well. ... Everyone was angry.”

David Garrard, who had four interceptions against the Texans, threw for 249 yards and ran for 31 more. Josh Scobee kicked four field goals. Fred Taylor and Maurice Drew combined for 124 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

As well as the Jaguars offense played, the defense was even better.

The Jaguars harassed Manning into numerous mistakes and bottled up Barber like few teams have in recent years. Barber’s 27 yards were his lowest since Nov. 30, 2003 against Buffalo, when he finished with 20 yards on 12 carries.

“It was a pretty pitiful performance all the way around,” Barber said. “I’m shocked our running game could be this unproductive.”

The Giants (6-4) dropped their second straight after a five-game winning streak. They played without defensive ends Michael Strahan (foot) and Osi Umenyiora (hip), cornerback Sam Madison (quadriceps), linebacker Brandon Short (quad) and offensive tackle Luke Petitgout (leg).

The injuries certainly contributed to the poor showing.

Jacksonville’s defense, meanwhile, lost another starter of its own — but didn’t miss a beat.

Already playing without their best tackler in Mike Peterson and best pass rusher in Reggie Hayward, the Jaguars lost safety Donovin Darius for the season in the first quarter with a broken leg. It’s the second consecutive season that ended early for Darius, who missed most of last year after tearing a ligament in his left knee.

He’ll be missed in the Jaguars’ secondary, but on Monday night, Jacksonville got along fine without him.

Manning finished 19-of-41 for 230 yards, most of which came after the game was decided.

“Mainly,” Manning said, “I’ve got to start playing better football.”

Manning said he wouldn’t lose confidence in himself, but lamented that the Giants are “not on the same page” and conceded that they have work to do.

Barber agreed.

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“We have to regroup and try to get this thing turned around,” Barber said.

Although the Jaguars dominated much of the game, the Giants looked like they might cut into a 16-10 lead when Manning connected with Plaxico Burress for a 53-yard gain early in the fourth quarter. But the catch was overturned, and the Jaguars finally pulled away in a game that could have been much worse.

Garrard found Matt Jones over the middle for a 49-yard gain, then Drew scored from 3 yards out to make it 23-10.

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Garrard’s best play, though, may have been a run — a few plays after the Giants made it 13-10 in the third.

Manning completed a screen pass to Burress that went for a 25-yard score, making it a three-point game. Burress made two nice moves to avoid defenders Brian Williams and Gerald Sensabaugh to get to the end zone, finishing a 70-yard drive that was kept alive by a penalty. The hands-to-the-face penalty against Rashean Mathis wiped out a sack and fumble that Jacksonville’s Paul Spicer scooped up and returned for an apparent touchdown.

The score would have been 20-3. Instead, Manning’s TD pass made it considerably closer.

On the ensuing drive, though, Garrard came up big.

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