So…how ‘bout them Cardinals? 9-1 after beating Lions

Picture Courtesy of azcardinals.com

By Francisco Romero

The Arizona Cardinals’ only score came in the first quarter, but that is all they needed to beat the Detroit Lions 14-6.  The Cardinals are now 9-1, in first place in the NFC West with the best record in the NFL.

Playing against the best defense in the NFL the Cardinals had a game plan; it worked well in the first two possessions as Drew Stanton threw two touchdowns passes to Michael Floyd.

“We came out and we were able to score in our first two possessions, huge,” said quarterback Drew Stanton after the game.  “At the same time we have to find a way to sustain drives better,” he added.

Stanton is playing in place of Carson Palmer who is out for the season with an injury.

Having caught only five catches for 47 yards in the previous three games, Michael Floyd was Stanton’s favorite target in the first quarter, as he caught two passes for 54 yards and two touchdowns.

“It’s kind of different every single week, you never know who is going to step up, you never know what play is going to make the game ending play, but it all starts in practice,” said, a jubilant Floyd, after the game.

Arizona’s defense was the key to the game as it limited the Lions to only 6 points. 

“It was a great performance, by far our best start to a football game.” “Overall I was extremely pleased with our entire football team,” said head coach Bruce Arians during a post game conference.

Stanton finished the game with 306 passing yards, completing 21 of 32 passes with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Lions quarterback Mathew Stafford ended up with 183 passing yards, competing 18 of 30 passes.

The last time the Cardinals were 9-1 was 1948, they were the Chicago Cardinals back then. That year the Cardinals finished the regular season 11-1 and lost the championship game.

The Cardinals will visit Seattle to face the Seahawks next week.