Each day this week, The Post has broken down a key one-on-one battle in Sunday’s Jets-Giants showdown at Metlife Stadium.
The bios
Odell Beckham Jr.
The Giants second-year wide receiver began building his chemistry with quarterback Eli Manning back when Beckham was still in high school and attended Manning’s passing camp at Isidore Newman in New Orleans, which they both attended. Beckham was the Giants’ first-round pick in 2014, and after struggling with hamstring injuries early on as a rookie, he burst on the scene with 91 catches for 1,305 yards and a dozen touchdowns — none more famous than the wild, one-handed grab he made against the Cowboys in his third game. He has shown no signs of slowing down this year.
Antonio Cromartie
Cromartie began his career with the Chargers, who made him a first-round pick out of Florida State despite the torn ACL he suffered while with the Seminoles. In 2007, he ran back a missed field goal 109 yards for a touchdown against the Vikings, the longest score in NFL history. He was traded to the Jets in 2010 and re-signed with them after the 2011 season. He made the Pro Bowl in 2013 before leaving as a free agent for the Cardinals. He returned to the Jets this season on a four-year deal.
The numbers
Beckham: 5-foot-11, 198 pounds, 23 years old, second season
Cromartie: 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, 31 years old, 10th season
2015 stats
Beckham: 11 games, 72 catches, 1,005 yards, nine TDs
Cromartie: 11 games, 23 tackles, no interceptions
The history
While they haven’t met on the field during the regular season, the two do share some history thanks to Cromartie’s comments about Beckham to ESPN in October, when the corner said: “Right now he’s a one-year wonder,” adding that part of his reputation had been built on “him getting penalties or sucker-punching somebody.” Cromartie has since softened his stance, calling Beckham a “No. 1 guy” this week. Cromartie’s last showing in the rivalry was a nightmare, when he missed a tackle on Victor Cruz’s 99-yard touchdown reception that saved the Giants’ season on Christmas Eve in 2011.
The breakdown
Cromartie likely will be part of a scheme to contain Beckham, because Darrelle Revis is out with a concussion and Marcus Williams also is injured. Others, such as Buster Skrine, Darrin Walls and Dee Milliner, could see action against the receiver.
“You can’t have Cromartie on him one-on-one the whole game,” said former Jets coach Herm Edwards, now an analyst with ESPN. “But if he can get his hands on him at the line of scrimmage, he can do some things against Odell.”
But it’s not a good matchup for any Jet.
“What this guy can do, you can’t defend against,” said Edwards, who played defensive back for the Eagles. “The fact he can catch the ball with one hand, you can have him played perfectly, and he’ll still beat you.”
Since there’s no way to eliminate Beckham’s production, Edwards believes there are times when the Jets may try to force him into the middle of the field.
“It’s not fun to get hit in the mouth,” Edwards said. “I don’t care who you are.”
And while Cromartie’s long legs and reach can make him effective, they will be a detriment if Beckham gets him turned around:
“He won’t be able to adjust back fast enough.”