With contract running out, Giants WR Hakeem Nicks needs to produce down the stretch

With his contract running out at the end of the season, New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks hasn't had the monster year needed to get a big deal.

The numbers aren't bad nine games into the season. The former first-round pick has 38 catches for 570 yards. It projects to a roughly a 70-catch season for about 1,000 yards, the gold standard for a wideout.

That would be good for most receivers. Not Nicks. Even more troubling is his touchdown total. It's a zero heading into Sunday's game at MetLife Stadium against the Green Bay Packers (5-4).

There's hope, though. Nicks has 11 catches for 100 yards in his last two games, and he seemingly saves his best for the Packers.

___

AP NFL website: — www.pro32.ap.org