Ask Hakeem Nicks if Richard Sherman and the rest of the Seahawks’ vaunted secondary plays within the rules and watch him shake his head and laugh.
Seattle’s success isn’t solely derived from manhandling opposing receivers to the full extent of what’s allowed in the NFL rule book, Nicks told The Post on Friday. Breaking those rules with their aggressive press coverage is the Seahawks’ operating philosophy.
And the veteran Giants wideout plans to fight fire with fire Sunday afternoon against Sherman, the star cornerback, and his fellow defensive backs when Big Blue (5-8) host the NFC’s current leaders at MetLife Stadium.
“They’re one of those teams that is willing to get a couple of [defensive holding, illegal contact or interference] penalties to be able to play the way they do,” Nicks said after practice. “Out of 60 snaps, they’re willing to trade three or four [penalties]. They just take their chances. But I’ll take my chances, too.”
That style continues to pay big dividends for the Seahawks, whose star-studded secondary is one of the main reasons they are 11-2 and NFC’s favorite to return to MetLife for the Super Bowl in February.
Seattle’s secondary is considered the best in the league, with Sherman and three other defensive backs — strong safety Kam Chancellor, free safety Earl Thomas and cornerback Brandon Browner — having earned Pro Bowl or All-Pro recognition over the past two seasons. The Seahawks’ top-ranked pass defense has allowed just 14 touchdown throws this year (two behind league-leading Tennessee) while holding opposing quarterbacks to an NFL-low 69.4 passer rating.
Seattle also forces interceptions and fumbles by the boatload, resulting in a plus-12 turnover margin that’s tied with the Cowboys for third in the league, behind the Chiefs and Buccaneers.
Nicks isn’t the only member of the Giants who thinks the Seahawks push the contact rules to their outer edge and often beyond. Coach Tom Coughlin said Friday he planned to ask the officiating crew to keep an eye on the excess physicality of the Seattle defensive backs.
“That might be something that comes up throughout the course of the conversation [during the pregame meeting with officials],’’ Coughlin said with a grin.
Nicks told The Post he doesn’t think warning the officials about Sherman and the others will do much good.
“They get away with it,” Nicks said. “Hey, they’re good. They’re a solid bunch, they play together and they like to be physical. It’s going to be a challenge, but that’s why we play the game.”
Nicks said the Seahawks’ cornerbacks don’t usually match up against individual receivers and follow them around, so it’s unclear how often he will go against Sherman on Sunday instead of less-heralded right corner Byron Maxwell.
Nicks, who has struggled through an underwhelming contract season with just 49 catches for 789 yards and no touchdowns, said he is hoping to see Sherman as much as possible because he enjoys a good matchup.
Sherman is known for talking trash as well as he plays, but Nicks vowed that wouldn’t be a problem for him.
“He likes to talk, but you’ve got to play,” Nicks said. “I don’t let guys get in my head. I’m past that stuff.”
Nicks has faced Seattle just once before (a 36-25 Seahawks win at MetLife in 2011) and didn’t see much of Sherman that day because Sherman had yet to become a starter.
With the playoffs now out of the question, Nicks has to settle for smaller battles to get excited about the final three weeks. This is definitely one that gets his blood pumping.
“I’m looking forward to this,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the challenge. It’s going to be a great one.”