2 third-quarter TDs give Cardinals 24-14 lead

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP)—Tim Hightower(notes) scored on a short run and Kurt Warner(notes) threw a touchdown pass as the Arizona Cardinals capitalized on the New York Giants’ mistakes and took a 24-14 lead after three quarters Sunday night.

Hightower scored on a 1-yard run to give Arizona the lead early in the third quarter and Warner hit Jason Wright(notes) on an inside screen for a 6-yard score late in the quarter which was dominated by the Cardinals’ defense and Giants’ mistakes.

A 35-yard punt by the usually reliable Jeff Feagles(notes)—who had a miserable night—and passes of 26 and 27 yards to Larry Fitzgerald(notes) set up Hightower’s score that gave Arizona a 17-14 lead.

Defensive end Calais Campbell(notes) tipped Eli Manning’s(notes) pass late in the quarter and Adrian Wilson(notes) intercepted it to give Arizona the ball at the New York 20. A 15-yard run by Beanie Wells(notes) set up the TD pass to Wright.

A bizarre 62-yard catch and run by rookie Hakeem Nicks(notes) after catching a ball batted by Cardinals safety Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie(notes) had given the Giants a 14-10 halftime lead.

Brandon Jacobs(notes) scored on a 4-yard run for New York, which was looking to bounce back from an embarrassing loss to New Orleans last weekend.

Wells ran 13 yards for his first career touchdown late in the second quarter and Neil Rackers(notes) added a 30-yard field goal in the closing seconds of the second quarter, which featured 24 points.

The strangest play of the quarter was Nicks’ fourth touchdown in as many games.

Faced with a third-and-8 at their own 38, Manning tried to hit Mario Manningham(notes) around the Cardinals 45. Rodgers-Cromartie, who intercepted a pass by Manning earlier in the quarter, went high with his left hand and batted the pass 15 yards downfield, where Nicks caught it in stride. It was his fourth straight game with a touchdown reception.

A 44-yard pass from Warner to Anquan Boldin(notes) set up Rackers’ field goal in the closing seconds of the half.

An interception and 13-yard return to the Cardinals 29 by second-year cornerback Terrell Thomas(notes) set up Jacobs’ touchdown. He rambled 25 yards on first down and scored two plays later.

The second to four poor punts by Feagles gave Arizona the ball at the New York 46. Passes of 13 yards to Boldin and Hightower—both on third down—set up Wells’ TD run.

The Cardinals had a chance to score on their opening series, moving from their 34 to the New York 27 in three plays.

However, defensive end Justin Tuck(notes) tackled Hightower for a loss on a first down from the Giants 27 and stripped the ball with safety Michael Johnson recovering.

The officials initially ruled Hightower down by contact. Giants coach Tom Coughlin challenged the call and the ruling on the field was overturned.

New York’s best opportunity came on its second possession when Jacobs opened the drive with a 17-yard run, more yards than the Cardinals gave up rushing last week in a win over Seattle.

With a second-and-4 at the Cardinals 47, Rodgers-Cromartie won a jump ball with Domenik Hixon(notes) in the end zone for an interception.

Giants starting right tackle Kareem McKenzie(notes) was inactive for the game because of a groin injury, ending a streak of 38 consecutive regular-season starts by the offensive line.

Rookie Will Beatty replaced McKenzie.