Now with Washington Redskins, Josh Norman sees Odell Beckham in division game

One of the NFL's ugliest on-field incidents in recent memory shadows this week's pivotal NFC East game between the winless Washington Redskins (0-2) and the unbeaten New York Giants (2-0) at MetLife Stadium.

Redskins cornerback Josh Norman and Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. resume a simmering feud. By the end of that Dec. 20 game in New York against the Carolina Panthers, Norman's former team, Beckham had been whistled for three personal fouls, including one after he got a 10-yard running start and smashed into Norman's helmet. Norman received two personal fouls of his own and was fined over $26,000.

"I think it's a one-time deal," said New York coach Ben McAdoo, who was the Giants' offensive coordinator last year. "I think they're two great competitors. They got caught up in the moment. We have to trust them out there and give them a chance to compete the right way."

The hope is those fireworks won't be renewed. McAdoo said he has had "conversations" with Beckham about keeping his composure this time. Redskins coach Jay Gruden said he hasn't addressed the topic with his players because he can't imagine anything will carry over.

After that Beckham hit, Norman could be heard by on-field FOX microphones telling his Carolina coaches that he would "punch (Beckham) in his face" and let out a ferocious scream as teammates tried in vain to calm him.

"God tells us to forgive all, so I'm working on that," Norman said. "But I have moved passed it. That was last year and I think that things that happened in the past stay in the past, whether they're here or not. I'm sure he didn't want it to happen, just like everybody else didn't, but it did. Our feelings about it really don't matter, to be honest with you."

The Redskins were rankled by an ESPN report on Wednesday that Norman would shadow Beckham on either side of the field on Sunday -- though not if he lines up as a slot receiver. Norman professed he "didn't get the memo."

In the season opener against Pittsburgh, the Redskins kept Norman to the left side of the field only as wide receiver Antonio Brown torched the team's other cornerbacks. Last Sunday against Dallas, Norman eventually switched sides to help slow down star receiver Dez Bryant.

Whatever the case, Norman and Beckham will see each other often on Sunday in New York. Last year's game got out of hand and both saw their reputations lose some luster. No one is predicting a rehash. But the uncertainty and tension remains.

"It's been a lot that's happened since then," Beckham said. "That was a lot that happened at the time period of my life. You take the good and the bad and you learn from it. That's how you grow and improve yourself as an individual and a human being. You take the life lessons and you learn from it."