The New York Giants, for the second time in four years, punched the bully in the mouth and knocked him to the turf.

And a superstar has emerged.

In playoff wins over the Atlanta Falcons and defending champion Green Bay Packers, the Giants have faced Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez, Julio Jones, Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, Jermichael Finley and James Jones, yet the best receiver on the field was No. 88—Hakeem Nicks.

"Hakeem Nicks is blossoming into a big-time play maker of the first order," said NFL Network analyst Rich Eisen during a recent post-game telecast.

Last night Nicks torched the Packers with seven receptions for 165 yards and two touchdowns. Consider it a birthday gift for the receiver who turned 24 on Saturday. Last week Nicks had six catches for 115 yards and two touchdowns versus the Atlanta Falcons.

In 2009, during Hakeem Nicks' college combine prep video, Nicks stated that he thought he would be drafted by the Atlanta Falcons and that he liked Matt Ryan and their style of play. 

I'm sure No. 88 is much happier in New York with Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, while the Falcons might be second-guessing their first-round pick of defensive tackle Peria Jerry, who blew his knee the first month of his NFL career and lost his starting job in 2010.

Nicks' playoff performance has been spectacular, averaging an impressive 21.5 yards a catch. 

If defensive backs in the NFL are not going to jam Hakeem Nicks off the line of scrimmage, Nicks will make them pay for their mistake to the tune of 280 yards and four touchdowns.

The wide receiver finds himself lighting up the scoreboard. But up until last week, he seemed to fly below the radar nationally and was virtually unknown in his own city.

Nicks, a soft-spoken guy born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, is making his presence felt loud and clear between the white lines of a football field.

He makes big first-down catches. He goes over the middle. He makes spectacular sideline catches. He is a fantastic "after the catch" player, and now he can add a successful Hail Mary touchdown to his resume—one that was vital in extending a first-half lead in a playoff victory over the defending champs.

He is on pace to be the best receiver the New York Giants have ever had in uniform, and he's finally getting his due attention for his value on the field.

Watch Hakeem Nicks highlights here.

Read more on Hakeem Nicks here.