Each Week, I’ll be breaking down the performance of the Giants many wide receivers. Here’s hoping this column does go on for too long and the Giants find a starting duo before too long.

• Steve Smith – 8 targets, 6 catches, 80 yards – Steve Smith did what Steve Smith does. He was consistent and gave Eli a safety valve on a ton of plays. The biggest play of the game that he made was the beautiful catch over the top against single coverage in the 4th quarter. Just another example of how Smith is most effective out of the slot.

  Grade: B+

• Mario Manningham – 4 targets, 3 catches, 58 yards, 1 TD – I was a little shocked when Manningham drew the start over Hixon, but he showed why he got it throughout the game. If there is anyone on this offense that has elite potential, it’s Manningham. I especially like him as an Anquan Boldin-esque catch and run guy. We all saw that on the touchdown pass in the first half.

  Grade: B

• Domenik Hixon – 3 targets, 1 catch, 10 yards – Uck. Hixon missed making a game changing play when he laid out for a diving catch but couldn’t quite get it. He should have made the catch, but at the very least we could say he was distracted. Since the Giants were short Aaron Ross and Kevin Dockery today, Hixon was going to play safety is anyone in the secondary got hurt.

  Grade: C-

• Hakeem Nicks – 4 targets, 2 catches, 18 yards; Left game in 3rd quarter with Ankle Sprain – Wow, that couldn’t have gone much worse for Nicks, huh? After a couple of decent plays and one drop, Nicks’ ankle was landed on in an awkward position and he left the game. Some people are saying that it isn’t a big deal and some people are suggesting that it’s a lisfranc injury. Let’s hope it’s not as Strahan missed 8 weeks with that injury in 2006.

  Grade: C-

• Sinorice Moss and Derek Hagan were active but not targeted.
• Ramses Barden was inactive. According to Tom Rock of Newsday, “Tough break for those who thought they’d get a chance to see Ramses Barden after his strong showing in training camp, but it’s not much of a surprise. The Giants are still high on him, but he’s just not ready for the NFL quite yet.”