The Arizona Cardinals maintained their lead at the top of the NFC with a 14-6 win over the Detroit Lions at the University of Phoenix Stadium this evening.
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Drew Stanton, who will be the Cardinals' starting quarterback for the rest of the season after Carson Palmer tore his ACL last week, got the hosts off to a bright start when he tossed the ball deep for Michael Floyd.
The wide receiver was in the endzone again before the end of the first quarter following a big gain from running back Robert Hughes.
Matt Prater opened the scoring for the Lions shortly before the end of the opening spell, as he had a 50-yard field goal go in off the post.
Stanton encountered some difficulties in the second quarter, throwing two interceptions, including one which gave the Lions the ball in a strong position.
However, neither Calvin Johnson nor Joique Bell could take it in, leaving Detroit to settle for another Prater field goal.
Floyd could have added his third touchdown of the game shortly after the restart, but the wide receiver could not hold on to the high and deep pass from Stanton.
Matthew Stafford attempted to force a touchdown to cut the Cardinals lead towards the end of the third quarter, but the pass intended for Johnson was intercepted by Rashad Johnson.
The Lions continued to press to try and overturn their opponents' lead late on, but the Cardinals defense frustrated the quarterback, sacking him a couple of times, preventing Detroit from scoring in the second half.
The result gives the Cardinals a 9-1 record, while the Lions slip to 7-3.
Sian Cowper
