Don't look now, but Drew Stanton has Arizona Cardinals at 3-0

Daniel McFadin

Don't look now, but Drew Stanton has Arizona Cardinals at 3-0 image

While most of the country was likely watching Peyton Manning lead the Broncos back from a 17-3 deficit before falling to Seahawks in overtime, the Arizona Cardinals were also busy. Busy staying undefeated.

Also, they were busy staying undefeated with a backup quarterback who was starting his second straight game.

But Drew Stanton isn't a fresh faced, deep-round draft pick for the Cardinals. Stanton, 30, is in his eighth season in the NFL and with his fourth team after begin drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2007 draft.

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With Carson Palmer out with a shoulder injury for a second week, Stanton, in his second year with Arizona, has stepped up and neither party is likely regretting signing him to a three-year, $8.2 million contract last year. 

Through two starts this year, giving him six for his career, Stanton is 32-of-62 for 411 yards and two touchdowns, both going to John Brown in the Cardinals' come from behind 23-14 win against the 49ers. It was just the second time in the last 11 meetings that the Cardinals have beaten the 49ers. 

"I'm just so fortunate and blessed really to be able to be in this opportunity," Stanton said, "because most guys that go four years without a start, they're not around the league too long."

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With the win, the Michigan State alumnus actually raised his career record to 4-2, with his other wins coming during a three-game stretch as a starter with the Detroit Lions in 2010. One of those wins was a 7-3 victory at home over Green Bay during its Super Bowl winning campaign.

The Cardinals now go into a bye week before traveling to face Manning and the Broncos. If Palmer still can't get under center by then, Stanton might be in a position to make himself this year's Josh McCown, playing well enough to go from being a journeyman quarterback to a certified starter.

"It sets the table for some really good things to come," Stanton said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Daniel McFadin