Arizona Cardinals vs. Washington Redskins: 5 Halftime Observations for Cardinals

After what seemed like a sure-fire halftime lead, the Cardinals let the Redskins march down the length of the field to take a 10-7 advantage after two quarters of play. 

With a game this close, the Cardinals will have to step it up in the second half to show this surging Redskins offense that they're not going anywhere.

Let's take a look at what the Cardinals need to do to get back in this game.

Can Anyone Stop Brian Orakpo?

Seriously...can anyone?

The Cardinals are finding out quickly that there was a reason the Redskins chose Orakpo with such a high pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. 

If I'm Levi Brown, I'm going into the half and doing nothing but thinking of ways I can slow this guy down. He may only have one sack, but Orakpo has been wreaking havoc on the Cardinals' offensive line and the backfield. 

If Arizona is going to get back in this game, they will have to find a way to slow down the high-octane motor of Brian Orakpo. 

Find Fitz

The Cardinals' best player is Larry Fitzgerald. I know it, you know it. Does Kevin Kolb?

After the first half of play, Kolb has only targeted Fitzgerald three times resulting in two catches for 19 yards.

That just won't cut it. Arizona's new franchise QB was known in Philly for always looking for the lesser play, but with a stud like Fitz on the top of your screen, he'll have to find a way to get him the ball. 

Slow Down Hightower

Rex Grossman is not having the terrific game he had versus the Giants last week. As a result he'll have to rely on Tim Hightower a lot more. 

Hightower has gashed the Cardinals' defense for 83 yards on 15 carries and if Zona is going to get back in to this game, they will have to find a way to stop him.

Stop him and you put the ball in Rex Grossman's hand...which leads to...

Pressure Rex

More mistakes from Rex Grossman is a huge key to this game right now. 

The Cardinal defense is doing a terrific job of making Grossman force poor passes to his receivers and it has resulted in two interceptions thus far. 

Patrick Peterson has been thrown into the fire already and he'll have to step up if he wants to be the player everyone thought he'd be as a top draft pick. 

Pressure Rex and the offense will have a lot less pressure on them. 

Get Beanie Involved

18 carries, 90 yards and a touchdown. 

That was Beanie Wells' line last week. This week it's three carries and six yards.

Come on, Cardinals! You can't set up the big plays to Larry Fitzgerald if you don't establish a strong running game. 

The Cards, above all else must find a way to get Beanie Wells more involved in this game or they will be seeing a dink-and-dunk offense all day. 

The Redskins have done a great job of using Tim Hightower to set up the pass. Arizona would do well to take a page out of their playbook and run that rock straight up the gut. Put the ball in the hands of your play-makers and they won't let you down.