SAN FRANCISCO – The Giants’ return to Candlestick Park featured few dramatics, no comebacks, and certainly no collapses. Just another methodical win for a team that’s already thinking about a return to the playoffs.

Eli Manning passed for 251 yards and a touchdown, Brandon Jacobs rushed for two short fourth-quarter scores, and the Giants’ defense yielded just 138 total yards in a 24-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers yesterday.

Plaxico Burress had five catches for 79 yards in the third straight victory for the Giants, who maintained their lead in the NFC East by suffocating the 49ers’ offense, which hasn’t scored a touchdown in its last 13 quarters at home.

The Giants’ offense floundered for long stretches against San Francisco’s inspired defense, but a handful of big plays led to scores.

Jeremy Shockey stretched full-length to catch a 32-yard scoring pass 13 seconds before halftime. Burress made a stunning one-handed, 50-yard catch on the final play of the third quarter, and Jacobs rushed for a 1-yard score moments later. Amani Toomer then made a 23-yard catch near the goal line, setting up another 1-yard TD run.

Cody Pickett, the 49ers’ fourth starting quarterback in five games, made few mistakes in his first NFL start. But he couldn’t spark anything behind San Francisco’s comically inept offensive line, which committed several penalties and rarely allowed Pickett a moment’s peace.

San Francisco finally scored on Nedney’s 48-yard field goal early in the second half, ending nearly 108 scoreless minutes for the Giants’ defense.