A four-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver Hakeem Nicks from quarterback Eli Manning has helped the New York Giants earn a 7-2 halftime lead over the Atlanta Falcons in a 2012 NFL playoff game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. The winner of the contest advances to the NFC's Divisional round where it will travel to play the No. 1-overall seed, the Green Bay Packers, next weekend.
Video: Hakeem Nicks Touchdown Catch
Nicks' touchdown capped a solid 13-play, 82-yard drive that took just 7:32. It was the first Giants' drive that featured more than four plays and actually moved inside Falcons' territory.
The march also answered a safety that came earlier in the second quarter and gave Atlanta a small 2-0 advantage just 1:16 into the second quarter.
Video: John Abraham Forces Safety On Eli Manning
Statistically, the two teams have about the same total yards (Giants 128, Falcons 127), while New York has 75-rushing yards and Atlanta has 90-passing yards.
Giants' running back Brandon Jacobs leads all rushers with 49 yards on seven carries, including a 34-yard run that helped setup the lone New York score. Jacobs also converted a 4th-and-inches situation from the Falcons' six-yard line on the New York touchdown drive.
Video: Brandon Jacobs 34-Yard Rush
Meanwhile, Manning is 10 for 14 for 60 yards, while the Falcons' quarterback Matt Ryan finished the half 13-of-19 for 98 yards.
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