GLENDALE, Ariz. The emotional expenditure was so extreme and the reward so complete that it is fair to wonder if the Giants, coming off their highly charged 29 16 victory over the rival Eagles, will be a slightly less inspired team today against the Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium.

They have heard it for the better part of a week, so the Giants cannot say they weren't warned. Returning for the second time to the scene of their Super Bowl XLII glory, the Giants are just a 2 point favorite against a team coming off narrow losses to the Redskins and Seahawks. Is Vegas banking on a letdown?

Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson vs. Giants WR Hakeem Nicks. Most likely the best cornerback in this year's NFL Draft, Peterson, who attended LSU, has great size (6 foot 1, 219), speed and talent and knows it.

"He is a big guy that can run like crazy," Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said. "He is a very confident or borderline arrogant guy that knows he is good and is taking chances already."

No doubt Gilbride will try to take advantage of Peterson's risk taking mentality and get Nicks in position to make a big play against the first year defensive back. Peterson is also a terror with the ball in his hands, as evidenced by the 89 yard punt return Week 1 against the Panthers.

Ever since misfiring on eight of his first 11 passes this season, Eli Manning is 32 of 42 (76 percent) for 435 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. Manning has been sacked 10 times, which is too many, but the Giants prefer their quarterback get sent to the turf with the ball rather than throw it up for grabs for a turnover.

"To win games, you have to protect the football," Manning said. "You can win games and turn the ball over, but it makes it tough. It puts a lot of stress on the defense and makes it harder for everyone. I think we're doing a good job of being smart with the ball and making better decisions than we did last year."

The most dangerous individual on the field, on either side, is Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald. He's a one man wrecking crew who has 15 receptions for 259 yards and two TDs. QB Kevin Kolb will look to him early and often. Fitzgerald needs just 35 yards to pass Roy Green and become the Cardinals' franchise receiving leader. Aaron Ross and Corey Webster will get a shot at Authentic Donte Moncrief Jersey keeping Fitzgerald under wraps.

"He's a big play receiver. He's physical, he can come off the ball, get off the jam and you can think you have blanket coverage on him and the quarterback will throw the ball up to him and he'll go up there and get it," said Ross, who is coming off a two interception performance in Philadelphia. "The play is never over with him."

Safety Antrel Rolle spent the first five years of his career with the Cardinals and is set for what is sure to be an emotional return. As a teammate of Fitzgerald's, Rolle worked against him every day in practice.

"Normally when people are successful against him, they double cover him," Rolle said. "I have never seen a defensive back shut him down, and I'm not saying it can't be done, I am saying that I haven't seen it done."

Osi Umenyiora is expected to play for the first time this season coming off arthroscopic right knee surgery, meaning the three headed defensive end rotation should be intact, unless Justin Tuck's neck and groin issues prevent him from suiting up. Tuck, Umenyiora and Jason Pierre Paul give the Giants the best pass rushing end trio in the league when they all are healthy, and divvying up the snaps is a situation every defense would like to deal with.

"That's a great problem to have," defensive coordinator Perry Fewell said. "If Osi's the player he was last year and JPP's coming on like that, we'll find a way. I promise you."

Pierre Paul is tied for second in the NFL with 412 sacks, but he doesn't sound as if he cares much if he starts or, with Umenyiora back, comes off the bench and rotates in at both end spots.