PHILADELPHIA -- Odell Beckham's explanation for his celebration after his first touchdown of the season when he pantomimed peeing like a dog is almost as strange as the decision itself.

"I was in the end zone. I scored a touchdown," the Giants receiver said after this crushing 27-24 loss to the Eagles. "I'm a dog so I acted like a dog. I don't know if the rulebook said you can't hike your leg. (The ref) said I peed on somebody, so I was trying to find the imaginary ghost that I peed on. But I didn't see him.

"Either way it goes, you play football. I wear red and white, I don't wear black and white. I don't make calls. I just play football."

Beckham, not surprisingly, was unapologetic about the crude celebration, which came after his first touchdown cut the Eagles lead to 14-7. The NFL has relaxed its rules on celebrations this year, but the official didn't hesitate to throw his flag for a 15-yard penalty.

"We needed to make a play," he said. "We're down 14-0? We needed a spark. I don't care if it's from the 5-yard line on our side. It didn't end up being detrimental, which is the main thing.

"When I get into the end zone, I'm going to do what I do to spark the team, and the consequences are going to be what they are."

When asked about the celebration, head coach Ben McAdoo said, "I'm going to have to see what took place there." When pressed if he found the nature of the celebration accepted, he replied, "Next question."

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