Giants at Cardinals
THE STORY: After taking down the Dream Team last week in Philadelphia, the New York Giants must guard against a letdown when they venture across country to tangle with the host Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. The visit to Arizona should evoke some fond memories for the Giants, who scored one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history with a victory over the New England Patriots on the same field in 2008. The Cardinals will be hoping to turn things around at home after dropping consecutive games on the road by a total of four points.
TV: FOX, 4:05 p.m. ET. LINE: Giants -1, O/U 44.5
ABOUT THE GIANTS (2-1): Eli Manning threw four touchdown passes - including a pair in the fourth quarter - as New York scored 15 unanswered points to snap a six-game losing streak to the Eagles with a 29-16 victory. Undrafted WR Victor Cruz, stepping in for an injured Mario Manningham (concussion) reeled in a pair of scoring passes against Philadelphia’s crown-jewel secondary. Manningham is expected to return this week but fellow wideout Hakeem Nicks missed practice Thursday with swelling in his ailing knee. RB Ahmad Bradshaw finally got untracked with 86 yards rushing and 53 receiving. DE Osi Umenyiora may make his season debut Sunday.
ABOUT THE CARDINALS (1-2): Arizona went scoreless in the final 2 1/2 quarters en route to a 13-10 loss at Seattle last week. After taking a 10-3 lead midway through the second quarter, the Cardinals had six consecutive possessions of five plays or less, resulting in five punts and an interception. RB Beanie Wells missed the game with a hamstring injury and was limited in practice Thursday, but insisted he’ll play Sunday. Alfonso Smith and Chester Taylor combined for 74 yards on 26 carries. QB Kevin Kolb threw two picks and failed to connect with WR Larry Fitzgerald in the second half.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Fitzgerald set a franchise record with his 67th career scoring pass last week. He has 24 receptions in his last three games against the Giants.
2. Manning threw four TD passes without an interception for the first time since Oct. 2, 2005, and registered a career-high passer rating (145.7) last week.
3. Arizona PK Jay Feely, an ex-Giant, is only 1-for-4 on field-goal attempts, although all his misses were from beyond 40 yards. He still has one more than New York’s Lawrence Tynes, who missed his only attempt.