Odell Beckham mocks Cam Newton’s Dab

Odell Beckham did everything right but catch the ball.

Panthers undefeated season ends today.

The New York Giants have plenty to worry about just to get into the playoffs.

In 1998, the Giants knocked off the 13-0 Denver Broncos, although the Broncos still wound up winning the Super Bowl that season.

It doesn’t seem to be a priority for the Panthers, who can clinch the NFC’s top seed this weekend with a victory and a loss by Arizona. “That’s the thing that you have to really focus on is really what is the goal?” The 18 straight wins match the third-longest string in National Football League history. Fozzy Whittaker or Mike Tolbert will start in his place. I certainly doubted Newton’s ability well before the season opened up, but I have to admit with very little pass-catching talent around him outside of tight end Greg Olsen, he has done it all and then some for his offense.

Will this be the week that the last remaining unbeaten team falls in the NFL?

It’s not a must-win for the Giants.

But the late lapse will cause doubt to creep in, as it was reminiscent of come-from-ahead games against the Colts and Packers earlier this year, games the Panthers had to hang on to win late and in overtime.

One big difference: The 49ers won that game in overtime.

Odell Beckham’s TD pulled the score even with less than two minutes remaining.

Beckham will face a stiff challenge in trying to extend that run.

Nor was Coach Tom Coughlin covering himself in glory as he left Beckham in rather than giving him a cooling-off period. He’s quick with his hands. He gave back, too, especially during one sequence when Norman crashed into him and Beckham wrestled Norman to the ground. And barring that unlikely tie, at least have a one-game lead over the Giants with one game to go.

Beckham can olny catch the tough ones. Veteran cornerbacks Charles Tillman and Robert McClain return from injuries this week and that should boost the Panthers secondary.

Carolina hasn’t lost at all, of course.

The Giants will have to contend with a Carolina pass rush that has produced an NFC-best 40 sacks. There’s much more to watch than the game, however. However, Norman has four interceptions to his name, and he will be looking to keep the Giants’ star player quiet on Sunday. On Saturday night the Cowboys hosted the New York Jets, and although the game went right down to the wire, Dallas were yet again on the wrong side of a tight result to leave them lagging on 4-10 and out of the Playoff picture. Shane Vereen’s 8-yard reception brought NY within seven.

To see this game’s highlights and scores, go to NFL. And if that means putting bubble wrap around Newton these next two weeks, so be it. Yes, other teams have done that and never found the same groove that made them so hard to beat in the regular season.