The Arizona Cardinals still have the best record in the NFL, but they were dealt a major blow on Sunday when Carson Palmer went down with a torn ACL. Palmer had provided the Cardinals with stability and veteran leadership at the quarterback position, and he will miss the remainder of the season.
Arizona will now turn to Drew Stanton, who is also a veteran but one with very little starting experience. Despite that, head coach Bruce Arians is confident in Stanton’s ability.
“We can win the Super Bowl with Drew Stanton,” Arians told Peter King of The Monday Morning Quarterback. “There is no doubt in my mind.”
In four games this season (three starts), Stanton has thrown three touchdown passes and has not turned the ball over. The Cardinals are 2-1 in those games. On Sunday, Stanton threw a perfect 48-yard strike to wide receiver John Brown that turned out to be the game-winning touchdown.
Despite injuries to several key players, the Cardinals are the only 8-1 team in the league. They have played the “next man up” card perfectly, but losing a quarterback — one who just inked a three-year, $50 million extension — is always more challenging than losing a player at any other position.
If Arizona’s defense continues to shut opponents down, they should make the playoffs. Time will tell if Stanton’s arm will be enough to carry the team further.
H/T Eye on Football
