Michael Smith and Jemele Hill debate if players' complaints about Odell Beckham Jr. are justified or just sour grapes. (1:25)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Josh Norman, Round 2. It's the matchup everyone wants to see, except maybe if you’re the New York Giants.

They might want to avoid the potential distractions and have Beckham against a lesser cornerback when they play the Washington Redskins on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. After seeing what Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown did to the Redskins other starting cornerback, Bashaud Breeland, that might be the matchup the Giants prefer. Beckham's already had his fair share of success against Breeland in prior matchups.

Based on the first two weeks, the Giants might be able to keep Beckham away from the Redskins' top cornerback for significant snaps, for parts of the game at least. Norman has spent most of his first two games as a Redskin at left cornerback. That is where he's most comfortable.

"My office is on the left side. Hours are 1 to 4. You can make an appointment. Check in and I will see about you," Norman told ESPN's Ed Werder prior to Sunday's 27-23 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Either way, it might not matter. Beckham has done damage throughout his career against some of the game's best cornerbacks. He had eight catches for 156 yards against Vontae Davis and the Colts and seven catches for 108 yards against Richard Sherman and the Seahawks during his rookie season. Granted, not all of those yards and catches came against Davis and Sherman, but some of them did.

"You're the real deal," Sherman told Beckham after that 2014 matchup.

Josh Norman/Odell Beckham Jr. II should be quite entertaining again. Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Beckham also had over 100 yards receiving last season against Darrelle Revis and the Jets, Malcolm Butler and the Patriots and Delvin Breaux and the Saints. He scored a long touchdown in each of those games.

As New Orleans coach Sean Payton explained last week, the Saints went into that game last season saying they were going to limit Beckham's catches and yardage. They would use Breaux and give him help. But even the best-laid plans can be ruined by a player of Beckham's talent.

"It sure seemed like that was a challenge for us," Payton said.

Beckham had eight catches for 130 yards and three touchdowns that afternoon last season against the up-and-coming Breaux (who is currently sidelined with a broken leg) in New Orleans. It's proof that having a top cornerback doesn't necessarily guarantee success against Beckham.

Norman did ultimately have success against him last season when he was with the Carolina Panthers. He followed Beckham throughout that Week 15 contest (except into the slot) and got the Giants star off his game.

Beckham finished with six catches for 76 yards and a touchdown. It was also the only game of his career with multiple drops.

It's not to say Beckham couldn't have had a big game. He beat Norman badly in the first quarter and had an uncharacteristic drop on what would've been a 52-yard touchdown reception. He later dropped a 10-yard pass with Norman in the area and had another underthrown 37 yards downfield when quarterback Eli Manning was under pressure.

Beckham's stat line (mostly vs. Norman) could've been: Nine catches, 175 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Or greater.

But could've, should've, would've. It wasn't.

What happened was that Beckham was flagged for three unnecessary roughness penalties in that game. He was suspended for using his body as a human missile on Norman in the third quarter.

Let's be clear. Norman and Beckham are not friends. They don't like each other. They've traded barbs on multiple occasions since that December day. But Sunday when they meet again at MetLife Stadium it will the matchup to watch -- if it happens.

"Yes, we play the Redskins. Looking forward to it," Beckham said when asked about the impending matchup after the Giants beat the Saints on Sunday. "2-0 going into the division, playing the Redskins, it's going to be a fun game."

Of all the top cornerbacks Beckham has faced in his two-plus years in the league, Norman had some of the most success. He found the answer to Beckham's playmaking speed and explosiveness by getting into Beckham's head.

Can Norman do it again? It may be the Redskins’ only chance to slow Beckham down.