New York Giants

NFC East Notebook: Odell Beckham Jr.'s costly mistake may cost the New York Giants

Published Dec. 22, 2015 2:00 p.m. ET

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Odell Beckham Jr. made the costliest mistake of his young career.

The New York Giants wide receiver was suspended for a single game following his on-field repetitive incidents with Carolina Panthers' corner Josh Norman. What was the main incident that set the NFL off? Beckham Jr. was shoved to the ground by Norman, clearly agitating Beckham Jr. Right as the play was ending, Beckham Jr. rose to his feet and launched himself directly at Norman's head.

That single decision may have cost his Giants a divisional title. New York is right in the heart of the playoff race, trailing the Washington Redskins by a game. And with the Redskins taking on the Philadelphia Eagles this week, a loss to the Minnesota Vikings may knock the Giants right out of it.

Odell Beckham Jr. let a silly personal battle cloud his judgment, ultimately hurting the team. Beckham Jr. could have just shut his mouth and let his play do the talking (does anyone even remember Beckham Jr. finished with six receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown, significantly better than any top receiver against Norman?). Instead, he let his emotions get the best of him, and he embarrassed himself.

Now, the Giants will have to push through their biggest game of the season without arguably their best player.

Playoff-shaping matchup

When the Washington Redskins take Lincoln Financial Field to take on the Philadelphia Eagles, each team will have an opportunity to shape the entire course of the NFC East Divisional Title.

The two-featured teams are both right in the mix for the title, but both have very different outlooks on their future.

The Redskins have been extremely positive, and how can they not be with Kirk Cousins as their starting quarterback? Cousins inspired a catchphrase that serves as Washington's rally cry for their season by yelling three simple words: "You like that?"

Ever since he screamed those words at reporters seven games ago, Cousins' has thrown for 13 touchdowns, 1888 yards and just three interceptions. He's also added three rushing touchdowns, and has an average QB rating of 112.8 over that same seven-game stretch.

The Eagles, on the other hand, are in a bit of a mess.

The offense has been questionable. DeMarco Murray saw only two carries last game. Nelson Agholor, the Eagles' second-wide receiver who was supposed to have a standout rookie year, has been largely ineffective. He was targeted just once against the Arizona Cardinals, and has only caught three passes in his last three games.

The defense continues to take blow after blow.  With Nolan Carroll already out for the year with an ankle injury, fellow corner Byron Maxwell now checks in as questionable for Week 16 due to a shoulder injury suffered against the Cardinals. A potential Maxwell loss doesn't bode well for the Eagles' defense, which has allowed over 400 total yards in six of its last seven games (they allowed over 400 yards just once in the seven games prior).

And the outcries against Chip Kelly have grown to deafening levels. Even Snoop Dogg wants Kelly to get as far away from the Eagles as physically possible.

Whether or not the Eagles can right the ship to try to get ahold of a playoff spot is yet to be seen. As is the Redskins' ability to clinch the spot. But if narratives play any role in a final decision, this one is pretty obvious.

Out, but not down

The Dallas Cowboys were officially eliminated from playoff contention following their narrow 19-16 loss to the New York Jets.

Now, their remaining two games turn into an evaluation period, and they've entered the period with a solemn, but optimistic, outlook. Jason Garrett has already stated that he will not shutdown star players for the remainder of the season, specifically naming Dez Bryant as a starter against the Buffalo Bills.

Kellen Moore will get the start, and he will become the first left-handed quarterback to start a game for the Cowboys in the history of their franchise. Moore won't be battling for a starting position with the Cowboys next season, but should he play well in the next two outings, a backup role may be in his future in Dallas.

Jason Garrett's job as the Cowboys head coach is nowhere close to being in jeopardy, especially after signing a five-year contract extension worth $30 million in January. But this season should prove to Garrett a couple of things: 1) He needs a young quarterback on his roster that he can groom into a future NFL starter, and 2) He needs to be able to adjust on the fly.

The quarterback issue is obvious.

But the ability for Garrett and his coaching staff to change isn't as obvious. But something has to be done. Of the Cowboys' 10 losses, Dallas had the lead at some point in the second half in six of those games. That inability to maintain the lead may fall on Garrett and his staff, and it may have been the reason the Cowboys' season twirled down the drain.

This evaluation period over the next two games will be good for the 2016 Cowboys, but will they be able to completely turn that future season around?

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