EAST RUTHERFORD -- It's easy to forget after an 11-5 record and a playoff berth, but the Giants were in dire straits less than a year ago.

The Giants were 2-3 after losing three straight games last season when they hosted a depleted Ravens team. Trailing by three points with 1:36 remaining, the Giants were faced with a fourth-and-1 at their own 34-yard line.

The Giants were one play away from a catastrophic fourth straight loss before wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. came to the rescue. Beckham took a slant pass from Eli Manning and raced 66 yards for the game-winning touchdown.

The play capped an incredible performance by Beckham, who had eight catches for 211 yards and two touchdowns in the second half after leaving the game briefly in the second quarter with a hip injury. It also kick-started a six-game winning streak that changed the complexion of the season.

The 0-2 Giants will again need some Beckham heroics when they try to salvage their season in Philadelphia on Sunday. Beckham has been slowed by an ankle injury this season, but he's ready to save the day again.

"0-2, 16-0 - I always want to be a difference-maker," Beckham said. "I think last year around Week 5 we were 2-3. There's never really any panic in my eyes. I know it's a long season. We didn't have a good start. I know it's a cliche, but it's not about how you start, it's about how you finish."

Beckham showed in the second half of the Ravens game that he can dominate even when he's less than 100 percent healthy. He's confident that he can repeat that type of performance on Sunday despite his ankle injury.

"I told you my mind is on another level," Beckham said. "I feel like I can take over a game at any time, no matter ankle or anything like that. It's just a matter of getting those opportunities and making the most of them."

Beckham's opportunities were limited in Monday's 24-10 loss to the Lions by a pitch count. He played 34-of-56 snaps in his debut after missing the opener due to the sprained left ankle he suffered in the third preseason game on Aug. 21.

Beckham said he didn't suffer any setbacks in Monday's game and he fully expects to resume his full workload against the Eagles.

"It's hard to get into the groove when you're in and out," said Beckham, who had four catches for 36 yards on Monday. "So I look to play a lot more this week."

Beckham later emphasized that he's not simply hoping to play more.

"That's what's going to happen," Beckham said. "I'm playing."

Beckham has been a limited participant in practice this week and he is still receiving additional treatment on his ankle after he leaves the team facility. That rehab will likely continue all season, as Beckham works to get back to 100 percent.

"It's not so much a mental thing," Beckham said. "It's when you actually go to make the cut and you turn out and you put force on it the same way you created the injury, it's a little difficult."

Banged up and facing must-win game. This is nothing new for Beckham.

"There's no fear in our hearts about being 0-2," Beckham said. "It's just a time to dig deep, make plays when you need to make them, turn things around. You can go 0-5 and win the next 11 and you never know. I think the Giants won a Super Bowl when they were 9-7. So, I don't really count us out."

Dan Duggan may be reached at dduggan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DDuggan21. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.