Factoid
At times in the regular season, it was difficult to tell who Eli Manning's favorite target was, Hakeem Nicks or Victor Cruz. Cruz finished with better overall numbers -- more receptions, yards and touchdowns.
But in the postseason, Nicks has regained his edge, scoring all 4 of the touchdowns from the two in three postseason games. During the regular season, Nicks also had an edge in one key area -- inside the 10-yard line.
We track those plays for each team during the year, trying to get a sense of who quarterbacks favor around the end zone, and which players are more successful. Manning threw Nicks only one more pass inside the 10 than Cruz, but Nicks had a 4-1 edge in touchdowns scored on such throws.
Nicks versus Cruz, inside the 10
Location Result (TDs bold)
S.L.3 3 H.Nicks
BUF9 inc H.Nicks
G.B.2 2 H.Nicks
G.B.4 4 H.Nicks
WAS4 inc H.Nicks
NYJ 2 inc H.Nicks
DAL4 inc H.Nicks
DAL4 4 H.Nicks
G.B. 2 inc V.Cruz
N.E.4 inc V.Cruz
N.O.4 4 V.Cruz
DAL8 inc V.Cruz
S.F.9 4 V.Cruz
SEA10 INT V.Cruz
DAL10 5 V.Cruz
Incidentally, Manning also sent 8 passes to Jake Ballard and 7 to Mario Manningham. Those players were also slightly more effective in that area, with Ballard catching 3 TDs and Manningham 2.
--Andy Richardson
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