Odell Beckham dazzles early with highlight-reel catches for Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Not only is Odell Beckham Jr. must-watch in the NFL, he’s almost single-handedly keeping the New York Giants’ wild-card hopes alive.

Just moments after the New York Jets tied the game at 10 in the second quarter, Beckham Jr. hauled in a slant and exploded into the open field and scampered away with a 72-yard touchdown. On the play, Beckham showed how he’s one of the fastest receivers in the NFL.

As if that wasn’t difficult enough, Beckham celebrated by mimicking running a race and jumping hurdles the length of the end zone.

The score gave the Giants a 17-10 lead.

Beckham’s explosive TD wasn’t the only big play he has had so far in this game. On a second-and-6 in the first quarter, the Jets had Beckham clamped in double coverage. Cornerback Darrin Walls played with a 3-yard cushion and safety Marcus Gilchrist shadowed him underneath.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning flung a dart that was too high, but Beckham stuck out his right hand and somehow, the ball just stopped there.

New York’s offense had amassed just 64 yards before Becham erupted for his 72-yard score.

Beckham appeared to suffer an injury late in the half when he went up to haul in a pass in the end zone, but dropped the ball after taking a hard hit from the Jets. He removed his helmet and took himself off the field but returned for the second half.

At halftime, Beckham had registered two catches for 94 yards and the score.

Follow Lorenzo Reyes on Twitter @LorenzoGReyes.

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