SAN DIEGO — He leaped and rose above a mass of Chargers defensive players, extended his arms, reached out with his big hands and secured the ball for a catch. It was a Hail Mary pass from Eli Manning during Sunday’s Giants-Chargers game and Hakeem Nicks came down with the ball, but something was amiss.
“I knew I was going to get it,’’ Nicks said. “I thought I was in the end zone until I got up and I looked and everybody was just looking at me. I was like ‘Why is nobody celebrating?’ ’’
Well, nobody was celebrating because Nicks indeed did come away with the 43-yard reception as time expired in the first half, but when he came down he was standing on the Chargers 6-yard line. Manning’s heave didn’t make it into the end zone and so the big pass play looked good on the stat sheet and garnered some Fantasy Football points but did nothing to alter a 37-14 Chargers victory at Qualcomm Stadium.
So it goes for Nicks as he continues to play through a strange season. Manning looked his way seven times and Nicks came away with five receptions for a season-high 135 yards. He was never targeted in the end zone, though, and although he has 49 catches this season, he still does not have a single touchdown.
It looked as if Nicks was going to give the Giants an early jolt of momentum. They went three-and-out on their first series but on the second possession, Manning finally connected on a throw down the field to Nicks something that has been missing most of this season. Nicks, running well, split defensive backs Eric Weddle and Marcus Gilchrist and hauled in the pass in stride, good for a 51-yard pickup to the Chargers’ 32-yard line. The good vibes died soon enough, as on the next play, Manning’s pass intended for Rueben Randle was deflected by Shareece Wright and intercepted by linebacker Donald Butler.
“It definitely was a good start,’’ Nicks said. “First series we went three and out, we came back, we figured ‘em out a little bit, [offensive coordinator Kevin] Gilbride schemed up a nice play, I just took advantage of it.’’
After the interception, Nicks said “It was still early in the game where I thought we could rebound from it.’’
As it turned out, the Giants could not rebound from it.
“Some days it’s just tough,’’ Manning said. “It was tough to get going offensively. We have to figure out a way.’’
As for finally getting some daylight to catch and run with the ball, Nicks said “Each week I strap it up I’m ready to go. I had a lot more opportunities today and I just wanted to take advantage of it.’’