The NY Giants made a comeback against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, but it fell just short and now the team likely will not be making the playoffs. Odell Beckham and Josh Norman battled on the field Week 15 and after some emotional outbursts, antics and a helmet hit from Beckham on Norman, there is a chance that the wideout could be suspended for Week 16. UPDATE: Beckham has been suspended one game by the NFL.
Coming into the game the main matchup that everyone in the media was talked about was Beckham and Norman, who have been the top wide receiver and cornerback in the league this season. The matchup did not disappoint, as the two went at it basically from the opening play. The game took a major turn early on when Beckham dropped a deep pass that he had in his hands that likely would have went for a touchdown.
Norman continued to go at Beckham after that and got into his head a bit and Beckham continued to get chippy throughout the game. Beckham was called for multiple penalties in the game and the worst instance was a helmet hit from Beckham on Norman that came at the tail end of a play. According to Pro Football Talk, there is a possibility that Beckham could be suspended for his actions in the game. Beckham likely will be fined for what happened during the game and PFT reports that while there is no single "trigger" for a suspension, there is a chance the league takes action.
Adam Schefter at ESPN reports that it's "likely" that Beckham will be suspended one game for his actions, but that the "league is still discussing" the situation. Beckham may appeal if he is suspended and that could allow him to play in Week 16, but if the punishment does come down from the league office, he likely will miss at least one of the final two games for the Giants.
Tom Coughlin said he considered sitting Beckham down in the game at various points with how he was acting, but he also understood that the team needed him to come back in the game. The Giants went down 35-7 against the Panthers and were able to tie the game on a Beckham touchdown late in the fourth quarter, but the team eventually lost on a last second field goal (again). Beckham had zero catches in the first half following that major drop and that one play could have changed the entire outlook of the game.
Tom Coughlin is definitely on the hot seat heading into the final two games and while the Giants likely do not want to fire the head coach, they may not have a choice with how this season has gone. The team should be in much better position to make the playoffs based on how they have performed at times, but the Giants have been unable to finish games and that could force the front office to make a move.