KANSAS CITY. Mo. — Hakeem Nicks is healthy but he is not having the season he expects to have. He admitted there were plays to be made in Sunday’s 31-7 loss to the Chiefs, and he did not make them.
“I know me, personally, there were some I’m supposed to come down with and nine times out of 10 I would,’’ Nicks said.
Nicks at times appears to be attempting to catch the ball with one hand, seemingly protecting his left hand, which has a dislocated middle finger. He says that is not the case.
“Just fighting during the play, just got to try to fight the other arm out and come down with it,’’ Nicks said. “I’ll be the first one to tell you those plays I’m supposed to come down with.’’
Nicks, who has yet to catch a touchdown pass this season, had just three receptions for 33 yards and was targeted nine times by Eli Manning.
Dexter McCluster finished off his 89-yard punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter by mimicking the Victor Cruz salsa dance.“I could care less,’’ Cruz said. “Next question.’’ … Josh Brown missed a 38-yard field-goal attempt last week against the Panthers and followed that up with a miss from 44 yards against the Chiefs. “I’ve got to figure out what’s going on and continue to move forward and strike the ball and put it where we want it,’’ said Brown, who replaced Lawrence Tynes this season. “For me it’s very frustrating, it’s not what I expected out of me and it’s not what the team expected out of me.’’ … Rookie DE Damontre Moore made two early tackles on special teams and then got a piece of Dustin Colquitt’s punt.
Prince Amukamara and Antrel Rolle picked off Alex Smith, who had not thrown an interception in his first three games. … The Giants have been outscored 146-61 this season. … The Giants nearly cracked 100 rushing yards but fell short at 98. … Tom Coughlin won a replay challenge in the third quarter, contesting a 3-yard catch by Donnie Avery. … Eli Manning lost a fumble in the second quarter, only his second lost fumble since the start of the 2012 season. … The rebuilt offensive line, minus starters Chris Snee and David Baas, allowed three sacks. Will Beatty and C Jim Cordle (making his first NFL start) had holding penalties. … Referee Terry McAulay after announcing that the Chiefs won a third-quarter challenge said across the public address system “Philadelphia will not be charged a time out.’’ Clearly, seeing Andy Reid on the sideline was confusing. … CB Aaron Ross was forced out in the second half with a back injury and was replaced by Trumaine McBride. LB Mark Herzlich left the locker room wearing a walking boot on his right foot. He said he has a toe injury.