Odell Beckham Jr. has sideline meltdown after Eli Manning interception
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Odell Beckham Jr. let out a scream. He stomped up and down the New York Giants’ sideline. And then the wide receiver punctuated his tantrum with a wild helmet swing into the kicking net, which fell and hit him in the head.
The Pro Bowl receiver had just burned Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman - his nemesis - for two big plays on the opening drive of the fourth quarter, but it was all for naught. Eli Manning - who pulled his receiver aside following the meltdown - tossed an interception in the end zone, a wonderful one-handed grab by cornerback Quinton Dunbar.
Manning then threw a game-clinching interception to Redskins linebacker Su'a Cravens in the fourth quarter as Washington escaped with a 29-27 win.
Earlier that drive, Beckham beat Norman deep with a trademark one-handed catch down the sideline for a gain of 19 yards. Beckham then toasted Norman again, this time for 24 yards.
Giants center Weston Richburg took a shot at Norman during the play and then had some words for him, leading to his second unsportsmanlike penalty of the game, an automatic disqualification under the new rule (spurred by Beckham’s actions against Norman last season).
NFL DRAFT HUB: Latest NFL Draft mock drafts, news, live picks, grades and analysis.
Earlier that drive, Norman receiver an unnecessary roughness penalty after tackling Sterling Shepard.
It didn’t take long for Norman and Beckham to engage in some post-play activity.
During a first-quarter touchdown run by New York Giants running back Shane Vereen, Beckham lined up on the left side of the field and ran a pattern into the end zone. When he leaped, the Washington Redskins cornerback lifted Beckham up and carried him back a few yards as the receiver stretched his arms out to plead with the side judge.
Norman released Beckham – the All-Pro corner threw his arms up to signal “I didn’t do anything” -- and Beckham fell lightly to the Met Life Stadium turf.
On the ensuing Giants drive, Beckham lined up in the slot on a couple of occasions (Norman only plays on the outside.) But on a 23-yard pass attempt from Eli Manning, Beckham ran a skinny post to the end zone, and Norman broke beautifully on the ball. He dove to break the pass up, but failed to intercept it even though he had both hands on the ball.
One play later, Manning hit rookie receiver Sterling Shepard over the middle to give the Giants another touchdown.
Late in the first half, Beckham beat Norman to the inside and then evaded the tackle with a move toward the sideline for a few extra yards and a gain of 18. When safety DeAngelo Hall caught up to Beckham for the tackle, there was a collision and his knee's buckled. He was quickly ruled out for the game with a right knee sprain.
Norman matched up with Beckham on 30 of the Giants' 34 plays im the first half, according to ESPN. Beckham recorded two receptions for 44 yards on four targets with Norman in coverage.
PHOTOS: Best of NFL Week 3
