Arizona Cardinals: Beanie Wells and 4 Key Players Against New York Giants

The Arizona Cardinals play the New York Giants this week and really could use big games from a couple key players. Players like Beanie Wells and Levi Brown will be instrumental to second win for the Cardinals, and the Cardinals need to win to put pressure on the San Francisco 49ers. Read on for five Arizona players that will help contribute to, hopefully, an Arizona win.

Beanie Wells

Beanie Wells missed last week with a hamstring injury, but it looks like he will start against the New York Giants. Wells is averaging 91.5 yards per game and has really solidified the Cardinals running game. The offense struggled with Chester Taylor at running back and needs Wells to be healthy in order to face the tough defensive front of the Giants.

When Wells runs the ball effectively, it allows quarterback Kevin Kolb more freedom with his playing and gives the offense such a different look. If Wells plays, the Giants will have to put more men in the box because he has shown the ability to explode through tight holes. 

Adrian Wilson

Adrian Wilson is the face of the Arizona defense, but lately hasn't been playing as well as he should. He has been getting beat deep more often, and it wouldn't surprise me if Eli Manning tried to pit his receivers on deep routes directed at Wilson.

While it's not smart to consistently do this, Manning will be selective with his throwing and make sure Wilson doesn't get the chance to pick one off.

If Manning does indeed throw a couple deep passes his area, Wilson could use a couple solid defensive plays early in order to discourage Manning from throwing his way again. Wilson's big play ability really helps the cornerbacks focus on their man and takes pressure off them. 

Levi Brown

Levi Brown has had tons of struggles protecting quarterbacks, but this week he has a much harder task, controlling Jason Pierre-Paul and Osi Umenyiora. Both are very skilled, very intelligent players and will be a handful for Brown. Pierre-Paul has been dominant so far this season with 4.5 sacks and Umenyiora will probably make his season debut against the Cards.

Brown has the sheer size to make a difference, but he struggles against more athletic players, something Pierre-Paul definitely is. Brown needs to have a solid game in order to shore up Kevin Kolb's blind side and give him plenty of time to make reads downfield. 

Kevin Kolb

Overall, Kevin Kolb has played well for the Cardinals and has definitely been an improvement from last season, but he has made a couple key mistakes down the stretch. Kolb needs to be smarter with his throws, specifically when he is pressured in to getting rid of the ball.

This isn't necessarily all his fault, since the offensive line has been suspect, but he needs to step up and deliver in tough situations like that. He definitely has the skill level to make all the tough plays, so now he needs to put together a complete game against the above-average Giant's defense. 

A.J. Jefferson

Going into the season, cornerback was already an area of concern, but now the team has proven the issue still persists. A.J. Jefferson has been targeted by opposing quarterbacks and hasn't made them reconsider their throws. Jefferson has to make opposing quarterbacks pay when they throw his way, that way the linebackers and safeties don't have to cheat and help out the corners. 

If Jefferson can get a pick against Manning, it would provide some much needed momentum and maybe even get the offense good field positioning. There's a reason Jefferson won the starting cornerback job, but that doesn't mean the coaches won't switch things up and start Richard Marshall.