LANDOVER, Md. — It was the Eli Manning-to-Larry Donnell show Thursday night. New York’s veteran quarterback connected with his new starting tight end for three touchdowns in the first half as the Giants whipped the turnover-riddled Washington Redskins 45-14 in an NFC East battle at FedEx Field. The visitors improved to 2-2 with their second straight victory while Washington fell into the division cellar at 1-3.

While Manning completed 28 of 39 passes for 300 yards with four touchdowns and an interception, Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (19-of-33, 257 yards) threw four interceptions and lost a fumble. Backup tight end Logan Paulsen contributed the sixth turnover.

A 36-yard screen to backup running back Roy Helu Jr. preceded starter Alfred Morris’ 20-yard run untouched to the end zone that shaved the Redskins’ deficit to 24-14 just 2:03 into the second half.

Cornerback Prince Amukamara’s 28-yard return of an interception put New York in great position to extend the lead. However, five plays later, strong safety Brandon Meriweather jarred the ball loose from receiver Rueben Randle at the goal line and it bounced into the hands of linebacker Keenan Robinson.

Two plays later, however, Giants safety Quentin Demps raced across the field to pick off Cousins’ pass for receiver Pierre Garcon at the Washington 35. Randle’s 21-yard catch set up Manning’s fourth touchdown of the night, a 2-yard toss to backup tight end Daniel Fells with 4:19 left in the third quarter.

Soon after McBride added to Cousins’ misery with another pick two plays later, New York needed just five plays to make it 38-14 with 14:07 remaining on Manning’s 1-yard keeper.

Safety Antrel Rolle recorded the fourth interception in Cousins’ last eight attempts 2:37 later. Andre Williams’ subsequent 1-yard touchdown run rounded out the scoring.

Manning connected for a 5-yard touchdown to Donnell six plays after defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka sacked and stripped Cousins and Cullen Jenkins recovered for New York at the Washington 24. The touchdown, 7:25 into the game, represented the Giants’ first points in the first quarter this season.

New York’s fourth possession began at its 25-yard line. Washington cornerback E.J. Biggers, on the field only because DeAngelo Hall suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon last week, let Giants receiver Victor Cruz run free for a 36-yard catch. Five plays later, Donnell out-jumped Meriweather to grab a 6-yard touchdown from Manning just 46 seconds into the second quarter.

Down 14-0, Cousins engineered a masterful 10-play, 80-yard drive. He went 6-for-7 for 68 yards on the possession, which ended with an 18-yard scoring slant to wide receiver Andre Roberts. Manning responded with a 12-play, 67-yard march that ended with Donnell’s 6-yard grab against rookie cornerback Bashaud Breeland. That catch made Donnell, who only had three receptions last season, the first Giants tight end with three touchdowns in a game since Joe Walton in 1962.

The Redskins moved into the red zone on their ensuing series only to have Giants cornerback Trumaine McBride strip tight end Logan Paulsen and then recover the fumble at the New York 18. Washington somehow left Cruz wide-open again for a 29-yard catch that set up Josh Brown’s 29-yard field goal that made it 24-7 as the half ended.

NOTES: With LG Shawn Lauvao sidelined with a knee injury, third-year man Josh LeRibeus made his first career start for the Redskins. … CB Tracy Porter was active for Washington after missing the first three games with a tender hamstring. … With Giants MLB Jon Beason sidelined with foot and toe injuries, Jameel McClain moved inside from the strong side and Mark Herzlich took McClain’s spot.