IRVING, Texas -- It seems strange to insinuate that the Cowboys need any introduction to Odell Beckham Jr., considering he scored two touchdowns when he visited AT&T Stadium on Oct. 19.
Still, it's hard to argue the Giants rookie's production in the month since he played his first game against Dallas. Beckham caught four balls for 34 yards and two scores in the 31-21 loss to the Cowboys â his third-straight game without surpassing 50 yards.
In the time since, he has exploded into the NFL consciousness, tallying 21 receptions for 357 yards in his last three outings. He hasn't scored a touchdown since the loss to the Cowboys, but Beckham has clearly become the Giants' most explosive offensive weapon in the time since Victor Cruz was lost for the season.
"He's certainly a dynamic player -- easy to see why they drafted him as high as they did," said Cowboys coach Jason Garrett. "And like you said, the more he plays, the more confidence he gets, not only as a receiver but as a punt returner."
Garrett's second point is the one that bears remembering as the Cowboys prepare to travel to MetLife Stadium for a primetime game. Drafted 13th overall in the spring, Beckham missed all of training camp and the preseason with a serious hamstring injury.
The rookie didn't play a game until Week 5 of the Giants' season, and he hadn't truly hit his stride until November rolled around. Brandon Carr said the key to Beckham's development is easy to determine on tape.
"Confidence â in this league, everybody can play, has the physical ability to make plays and survive in this league," Carr said. "It just comes to the intangible, the mental part. His confidence is there, and he has an elite quarterback that is pushing him and motivating him, wants to get him the ball.
"He's been doing a great job in his matchups the last month of making plays, getting open and catching the ball."
