New York Giants: Wide Receiver Hakeem Nicks Is The Real Deal In The NFL

In case you did not get a chance to watch the New York Giants put a beat down on the Houston Texans on Sunday in Houston, Hakeem Nicks has officially arrived as one of the elite receivers in the NFL.

Albeit against a horrible Texans pass defense, Hakeem Nicks finished his fantastic day with 12 receptions, 130 yards and two touchdowns.

He has been one of the most consistent receivers in football so far this year. He is ninth in receiving yards with 409, tied for fourth in catches with 33, and leads all receivers with six touchdowns, only behind tight end Antonio Gates for the league lead.

Not only does he have speed and incredible athletic ability to get the ball down the field, but he has supreme route running and an incredible knowledge of how to read defense.

It is clear that he and Eli Manning are on the same page on every play.

I was at the game on Sunday against the Texans, and it wasn't just the fact that he got 12 catches as much as how he was coming down with some of the passes.

On one particular play he ran an out route to the sideline and Eli air mailed it, but he was able to come down with it and controlled it in one hand while getting both feet in bounds. It was one of the most amazing showcases of body control I've ever seen.

The Giants came into the Texans game with a terrific game plan to exploit the young secondary and Hakeem Nicks was obviously a favorite target of Eli's, but he wouldn't let you believe that.

"You never know who's going to have the hot day," Manning said. "I don't have favorites and I don't pick guys out. I'm reading coverages and throwing to the open guy. So they know that."

Either way, Nicks is going to get the ball plenty during the season, and should make the Pro Bowl if he keeps this up in just his second season.