CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Josh Norman was on his couch with his pet dog Yoshi on Monday night when he noticed on television New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. warming up for Miami in a pair of “Joker’’ cleats.

“I don’t know if that was a really a knock or hit at me or anything like that,’’ the Carolina Panthers cornerback said on Thursday. “But dang, the timing of which this comes out, right before we are going to play them they show up.

“That kind of gets that going because I know what the symbolism means to me.’’

Odell Beckham Jr.'s pregame cleats tonight - The Joker #NYGvsMIA pic.twitter.com/U7Hzr2DOXL — New York Giants (@Giants) December 15, 2015

Norman, in case you’ve missed it, likens himself to “Batman,’’ who counts the “Joker’’ as one of his many archenemies.

But Norman would get excited about Sunday’s matchup against Beckham even if it was coincidental he wore those cleats the week before facing the Panthers (13-0).

Norman relishes challenges.

And few in the NFL are a bigger challenge these days than Beckham, who has six straight games with more than 100 yards receiving.

“I got chill bumps coming in here on Tuesday,’’ Norman said. “I was like, man, I’m very much anticipating this matchup. ... Looking at some of the stuff my opponent possesses, man, it’s enticing.

“It looks very edible.’’

Norman has faced four receivers this season currently ranked in the top 10 in receiving yards in No. 1 Julio Jones, No. 4 DeAndre Hopkins, No. 8 Allen Robinson and No. 11 T.Y. Hilton.

He held them to a combined seven catches on 19 targets for 72 yards and no touchdowns, according to Pro Football Focus.

Throw in other top receivers such as Dez Bryant, Randall Cobb, Doug Baldwin and DeSean Jackson and Norman has allowed a combined 11 catches on 29 targets for 85 yards and no touchdowns.

No cornerback is playing better.

“It should be a great matchup,’’ Giants quarterback Eli Manning said. “[Norman’s] playing great football and great defense and taking the number one receiver out of the game a bunch of times, so we’ll have to be smart and find ways to get Odell some completions.’’

Beckham had better stats against Miami (seven catches, 166 yards, two touchdowns) than everyone Norman has defended combined.

But what might be different about this matchup than others for Norman is what Norman calls Beckham’s “celebratory’’ style. That’s because Norman has a “celebratory’’ style himself.

“That’s the kind of guy he is when he plays,’’ Norman said. “Just crazy emotion. Just all about making a play, getting up and being a crowd pleaser. I like guys like that. They make the game fun.’’

“We’ll see what that looks like Sunday and be a part of his fun.’’

Norman isn’t sure if he’ll have to go to that “dark place’’ he often talks about when facing a top receiver. He jokingly said his warmup movie this week has been “Home Alone 3.’’

“Threw you off with that one, huh?’’ said Norman, who typically chooses more action-packed, dark movies when getting ready for an opponent.

That Beckham lines up in the slot a lot could limit some of Norman’s opportunities, although on a few occasions Norman has played some in the slot.

Regardless, Norman is amped for the opportunity to once again show he’s one of the top corners in the league.

“I think that’s why I said edible, earlier,’’ he said with a smile.