Bizarre TD catch by Hakeem Nicks gives Giants 14-10 halftime lead over Cardinals

Nicks’ bizarre touchdown gives Giants 14-10 lead

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Rookie Hakeem Nicks scored on a bizarre 62-yard pass play after catching a ball batted by Cardinals safety Dominique Rodger-Cromartie and the New York Giants took a 14-10 halftime lead over Arizona in their nationally televised game Sunday night.

Brandon Jacobs scored on a 4-yard run for New York, which was looking to bounce back from an embarrassing loss to New Orleans last weekend.

Rookie Beanie Wells ran 13 yards for his first career touchdown late in the second quarter and Neil Rackers added a 30-yard field goal in the closing seconds in a quarter that featured all 24 points.

The strangest play of the quarter was Nicks’ fourth touchdown in as many games.

Faced with a third-and-8 at their own 38, Manning tried to hit Mario Manningham around the Cardinals 45. Rodgers-Cromartie, who intercepted a pass by Manning earlier in the quarter, went high with his left hand and batted the pass 15 yards downfield, where Nicks caught it in stride and scored for a 14-7 lead. It was his fourth straight game with a touchdown reception.

A 44-yard pass from Kurt Warner to Anquan Boldin set up Rackers’ field goal in the closing seconds of the half.

An interception and 13-yard return to the Cardinals 29 by second-year cornerback Terrell Thomas set up Jacobs’ touchdown. He rambled 25 yards on first down and scored two plays later.

The second to two poor punts by the Giants’ Jeff Feagles gave Arizona the ball at the New York 46. Passes of 13 yards to Bolden and running back Tim Hightower — both on third down — set up Wells’ TD run.

The Cardinals had a chance to score on their opening series, moving from their 34 to the New York 27 in three plays.

However, defensive end Justin Tuck tackled Hightower for a loss on a first down from the Giants 27 and stripped the ball with safety Michael Johnson recovering.

The officials initially ruled Hightower down by contact. Giants coach Tom Coughlin challenged the call and the ruling on the field was overturned.

New York’s best opportunity came on its second possession when Jacobs opened the drive with a 17-yard run, more yards than the Cardinals gave up rushing last week in a win over Seattle.

With a second-and-4 at the Cardinals 47, Rodgers-Cromartie won a jump ball with Domenik Hixon in the end zone for an interception.

Giants starting right tackle Kareem McKenzie was inactive for the game because of a groin injury, ending a streak of 38 consecutive regular-season starts by the offensive line.

Rookie Will Beatty replaced McKenzie.