Hakeem Nicks easily motored past cornerback Patrick Robinson and cradled an Eli Manning pass for a 25-yard touchdown connection, which did not signal the absolute return of Nicks to form. But it sure was a sign he’s getting closer.
“I’m starting to get more separation and I feel myself coming out of my routes a lot better, which I knew I would,’’ Nicks said after last night’s 52-27 rout of the Saints. “You all know how I play by now.’’
Nicks is looking more like himself after battling through foot and knee issues all season. He had four catches for 67 yards against the porous New Orleans secondary, nicely complementing Victor Cruz (8-121, 1 TD) to give the Giants that 1-2 punch they rode last season to the Super Bowl. Cruz now has 1,004 receiving yards this season.
After the game, Nicks went into the X-ray room but said everything checked out fine. “I came through physically OK, I might have came down a little bit on my knee,’’ Nicks said. “I’m so used to doing it, it goes away in about a play or two.’’
* The 52 points was the highest total for the Giants since they beat the Packers 55-24 in the last game of the 1986 regular season. … The Giants set a team record with 287 kickoff return yards in the game (227 by David Wilson and 60 by Jerrel Jernigan). The previous record of 274 yards was set at Washington on Nov. 27, 1966. Wilson became the first player in NFL history with at least 200 kickoff return yards and 100 rushing yards in the same game. Wilson also became the first Giants player since 1948 to have a rushing and kickoff return for a touchdown in the same game.
* Stevie Brown had two interceptions for a team-high seven and his 91 return yards give him 259, setting a franchise record for interception return yardage in a season. The former mark of 251 was set by Hall of Famer Emlen Tunnell in 1949 and matched by Dick Lynch in 1963. … CB Prince Amukamara left early in the fourth quarter with a strained hamstring. He said he could have finished the game if necessary.
* RB Ahmad Bradshaw had to go into the locker room in the first half to have his left knee checked out but was able to return, on a limited basis. “I’m sure he’s going to be sore as he is always,’’ coach Tom Coughlin said. … LB Jacquian Williams returned after missing six straight games with a knee injury and played a role in keeping Saints TE Jimmy Graham held in check. … Justin Tuck admitted being 0-4 vs. Drew Brees and the Saints was troubling. “I don’t think we needed any motivation, but it was,’’ Tuck said.