New York Giants' offense clicks in 34-10 drubbing of Houston Texans

This time, the Giants offense actually showed up. Especially Hakeem Nicks.

Nicks tied Amani Toomer’s franchise record for most receptions by a wide receiver in a single game with 12 for 130 yards during yesterday’s 34-10 win at Houston.

In winning their first consecutive games since Weeks 4 and 5 of 2009, the Giants (3-2) put up their biggest point total of the season, and came within three points of equaling their entire first-half output of the first four games combined. Nicks’ fifth and sixth touchdown catches helped build a 24-3 halftime lead against the league’s worst pass defense.

Just as impressive in the half was quarterback Eli Manning, who at one point completed 11 straight passes, one short of his career high. Manning finished 27-of-42 for 297 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

The defense made it easy on Manning’s group by utterly taking the league’s rushing leader, Arian Foster, out of the game. Three of Foster’s first five touches went for negative yardage, and he finished the half with just nine yards on eight carries. The Texans totaled just 24 on the ground.

Corey Webster’s interception off Matt Schaub produced a touchdown, as did field position a second-quarter drive that started at the Giants’ 45. Osi Umenyiora had two of the Giants’ three sacks, and forced two fumbles.

Manning gave the Texans field position with a third-quarter interception, his second of the day, which former Giant Derrick Ward converted into a 1-yard touchdown run.