The Hail Mary to Hakeem Nicks at the end of the first half will surely grab the highlight reels, but it's prudent to retrace the events leading up to the Packers' first deficit at halftime at Lambeau Field this season.
With 15 seconds to go before the break, the Giants were seemingly content taking a 13-10 lead into the locker room, and Eli Manning handed off to Ahmad Bradshaw at the New York 40.
However, Bradshaw gave them another option.
The running back began to the left, but bounced right to the open field, sprinting diagonally to the right sideline for 23 yards. He was forced out in Packers territory at the 37.
"We ran the toss, they overflowed, and I was able to cut it back," Bradshaw said. "Right before, Eli told us to get out of bounds. I just tried to get as much as I could and get out of bounds, try to put us in a better situation to kick a field goal or score."
With six seconds on the clock, the Giants wanted more.
Manning dropped back in shotgun formation on the next play and heaved a pass into the front left corner of the end zone. Nicks went up for the jump ball with Packers defensive backs Charles Woodson and Charlie Peprah. Nicks elevated above them and came down with the ball in the end zone, giving the Giants a 20-10 lead at halftime.
"That's something we practice every Saturday," Nicks said. "For the end of the game or end of the half, I was the jump man. Eli threw it up. All I saw was me and the ball. All I could tell you is I just jumped up to catch it. It was one of those things 'I see the ball, now I got to catch it.'"
Only a play like that could outshine what Nicks did earlier in the game.
En route to 152 yards in the first half alone, Nicks already had a dazzling touchdown under his belt at the time.
With the ball on the New York 34 late in the first quarter, Nicks caught a pass over the middle and bounced off safety Charlie Peprah's tackle attempt. He then outran cornerback Tramon Williams for a 66-yard score that gave the Giants a 10-3 lead.
In the last four games, New York had touchdowns of 72, 74, 99, and 66 yards.
"Eli made a great throw," said Nicks, following up his two touchdowns in the wild-card round against Atlanta. "I caught it, bounced off the hit, and once I didn't see anybody around, I turned the jets on."
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