The start of the Cardinals/Seahawks game saw an offense sputter in the first quarter and trail heading into halftime. They were down 17-10, and just blew a potential touchdown because of a Mike Gandy penalty. Wells didn't see much action in the first half due to the Cardinals playing catch-up. After a successful opening drive to the third quarter however, the Cardinals marched into Seattle territory, where there was a key play that may have changed the game.
"That was terrible," Beanie said after the game, the smile back on his face. "That’s was the first time I lost my composure like that playing football since I was about 8 years old."
A post-play skirmish between Beanie and Seahawks safety Deon Grantescalated into some swings from both sides, the last of which was Wells’ hand whacking Grant’s facemask right in front of the referee. At the time, it looked like it would cost the Cards, who were trailing, 17-10, and would have had a first down at the Seattle 4-yard line.
Beanie could have been the goat. But four plays later, it was Wells bouncing outside a tightly compacted line on fourth-and-1 for a 10-yard touchdown. He finished it with an angry spike of the ball.
1st | 1st | Tot | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd | Tot | 3rd | 3rd | 3rd | 3rd | Tot | 4th | 4th | 4th | 4th | 4th | 4th | Tot |
-4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9* | 4 | 3 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 6* | 22 | 7 | 13 | 29 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 54 |
* = Holding Penalty
If Beanie can continue to turn it on when he's on the field and play angry, he gives the Cardinals an added dimension they severely lacked last season. He's a workhorse, and only showing a small fraction of what he's capable of. In the first five games of the season, Wells averaged 24.8 rushing yards per game with 0 touchdowns. In the last four games, Wells is averaging 67.75 rushing yards, and has scored 3 touchdowns. The Cardinals do appear to be using Wells more, and as the chart shows, they're giving him more carries once the lead has been established. What are your thoughts on the Cardinals running back situation? Should Beanie Wells be the starting running back?