NFL: New York Giants' Odell Beckham Jr caught out in running battle with Josh Norman

Beckham was forced to play down his physical battle with Carolina Panthers corner back Josh Norman

Odell Beckham Jr, of the New York Giants, was involved in a series of confrontations with Carolina’s Josh Norman, right, at the weekend. Beckham was later banned for one game by the NFL (AP)

New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr is fast gaining an international reputation thanks to the viral power of his amazing acrobatic catches, but it was a more negative side to his game that put him in the spotlight at the weekend.

Beckham was forced to play down his physical battle with Carolina Panthers corner back Josh Norman, describing a series of ugly confrontations as part of the game, after he drew three personal fouls in the Giants’ 38-35 defeat.

The result means Carolina maintained their unbeaten record this season, but Norman was annoyed by his opponent’s behaviour and said Beckham’s true colours were revealed. “What he did is obviously on display. You see what kind of player he is,” said Norman, who has made a reputation for shutting down top receivers this season.

The Panthers player harassed Beckham early on and the two were tangled up on several plays, with the Giants receiver appearing to retaliate after the whistle more than once. In the third quarter Beckham was penalised for a blindside hit to Norman’s head.

The Giants’ receiver then beat Norman for a touchdown in the fourth to make the scores level, before stepping over the defender during his celebration.

Beckham, who finished with 76 receiving yards and the score, said his actions were just part of the game. “We’re out there playing football. We’re competing. We’re always going to go at it,” he said. “Anyone who’s played sports, you’re competitive. You’re going to go as hard as you can.”

Beckham, who was fined for throwing a punch at a Buffalo Bills player during a game in October, has to maintain his composure, said the Giants’ coach, Tom Coughlin.

“He’s got to learn at some point how to deal with some things,” he added. “He made some mistakes today, but I’m hoping he’ll recognise that and get over it.”

Carolina, led by their quarterback Cam Newton, had a 35-7 lead late in the third quarter but through mistakes, penalties and some inspired New York play, the Giants scored 28 unanswered points to draw level with two and a half minutes left. With the Panthers’ unblemished campaign in jeopardy, however, Newton coolly steered them down the field on the final drive to set up a 43-yard field goal by Graham Gano as time expired, for a 38-35 win that left Carolina 14-0 for the season.

“It shouldn’t have been a thriller, I can tell you that,” said Newton, who threw five touchdown passes and gained 100 yards on eight runs. “It was great to be in a game like this. It was kind of like our first dose of what play-off football is going to be about. We’ve got to create that killer instinct. We have to be better, and we will be better.”

Carolina are aiming to become the second NFL team ever to complete a perfect season after the 1972 Miami Dolphins went 17-0, going all the way through to a Super Bowl win.