Victor Cruz began this season searching for his first NFL reception. He might end it putting up one of the most prolific seasons ever for a Giants receiver.
“It’s crazy,’’ Cruz said.
Cruz, as he did last week in New Orleans, will start today against the Packers, replacing injured Mario Manningham. Cruz has been on a tear lately and enters the game with team highs in catches (55), receiving yards (957) and touchdowns (seven). He is on pace for 1,392 receiving yards, which would surpass the franchise single-season record of 1,343, set by Amani Toomer in 2002.
“He’s got that beat,’’ tight end Jake Ballard said. “We’ve got five more games left.’’
Cruz said the idea of him amassing 1,000 yards this season never came close to entering his mind.
“I try not to think about it so I can kind of stay focused,’’ Cruz said. “Family and friends remind me of it all the time. It’s pretty crazy, man, I never thought in my second year I’d be approaching a 1,000-yard season and having all this success. It’s been an adventure.’’
* There is certainly incentive attached to being the first to knock of an undefeated team. The Packers are 11-0, and whoever pins loss No. 1 on them will get plenty of attention and accolades. As far as which team will feel the heat, safety Deon Grant said it’s not the Giants.
* “There should not be any pressure,’’ Grant said. “We lost three straight. What kind of pressure is that going to be on us? The pressure’s on them, if anything. They’re trying to continue on with this undefeated season.’’
* Defensive end Justin Tuck said he’s feeling better this week. Not perfectly healthy, but a bit better. The Giants could use vintage Tuck and not the facsimile that has been playing hurt this season. Last week against the Saints, Tuck was credited with four tackles and two quarterback hits. But after missing a sack on Drew Brees, Tuck admittedly stayed on the ground and didn’t bother to get up and chase down the play. He levied a fine against himself for that indiscretion. Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell said he had a talk with Tuck this week.
“I’m very confident he will come out a different player and be a very good player come Sunday,’’ Fewell said.
* The Packers are 6-0 on the road this season, the first time that’s happened in the rich history of the franchise. Including the playoffs, the Packers have won nine straight on the road. … Of the 10 previous teams to start a season 11-0, eight advanced to the Super Bowl.