LANDOVER, Md. -- Josh Norman apparently had decided that trash talking and cheap hits weren't going to get the job done this time, so the dirty Washington cornerback tried another tactic entirely.

He literally punched Odell Beckham Jr., right below the belt, right during the third quarter of this game. Norman can talk about trying to knock the ball loose all he wants, but that's nonsense. He was trying to knock Beckham's temper loose, trying to get him to fight back and come unglued.

The Giants receiver did not take the bait, not even close, and on a day that was promising for a number of reasons for this franchise that needs to be near the top of the list. Beckham did what the Giants have wanted him to do all along when confronted with nonsense like this.

Nothing.

"He's grown up. He's finally taking my advice. He's finally putting it to use out there," teammate Victor Cruz said in a silly voice, before continuing in a more serious tone. "It was good to see him just grow up. He knows (Norman) is a guy who is going to try to get under his skin and do things to him, and he rose above that."

The Giants defeated the Redskins 19-10, and it was a victory that seemed like anything but meaningless in the victorious locker room. Not only had they improved to 11-5 one season after going 6-10, but they eliminated their rivals from the playoffs entirely.

They found a running game, with rookie Paul Perkins gaining 102 yards on 21 carries. They showed toughness on defense, with a pair of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie interceptions. And they can take a bit of momentum into their first playoff trip in five years.

Beckham was a bit player in the victory, gaining 44 yards on five catches. Head coach Ben McAdoo pulled him soon after Norman's sucker punch, although he insisted the two things were unrelated. Given that Beckham is as indispensable as any player not named Eli Manning, turning him into a cheerleader in the second half was understandable.

He even handled that like a veteran. "I wasn't necessarily ready to come out of the game," Beckham said, "but just understanding and trusting coach, and knowing that he made a decision for a reason."

So this was the rare day when the Giants were happy to have a quiet Beckham, but everyone knows that has to change now. The Giants need their star receiver to have one of his finest games now, maybe even channel the 11-reception, 154-yard performance that Plaxico Burress had in the famous icy trip to Lambeau Field nine years ago.

He needs to be the best player on this field, because even in a game when the Giants didn't commit a turnover and ran the ball effectively, this offense still only scored 13 points. Manning did what he had to do, completing 17 of 27 passes for 180 yards, but the Giants failed to crack 20 points for the fifth straight game.

"We've got to play at a higher level. Everything is at stake next week. It's win or go home," Beckham said. "I've never been in that position but I'm excited for the first time to be in the playoffs."

Beckham insisted his personal war with Norman has "been dead for a long time," but given the last two personal-foul-filled run ins with the cornerback, it still came as a relief to this team. Beckham is too talented to let the nonsense define him, and after months of having this message delivered to him, it appears that it finally has been received.

"Extremely important," Cruz said when asked about Beckham's ability to stay controlled. "Obviously, we need him to be him and that's all we need. We don't need anything after the whistle or anything after the play, we just need him calm and going out there playing football.

"I think he understands the moment, I think he understands what this means not just for him, but this organization and this specific team this year, and I think he's excited about it."

Beckham has talked often about wanting to be known as one of the greatest receivers in the sport. He knows, to get to that level, he'll need to add playoff accomplishments to his already gaudy regular-season resume. He finally has that chance now.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to play in the playoffs, period," he said. "I've watched this game for a very long time, and to have my own opportunity in there, it's something special. I definitely wouldn't want to be with any other team than this.

"And (let's) go on a run!"

Steve Politi may be reached at spoliti@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevePoliti. Find NJ.com on Facebook.