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The Arizona Cardinals haven't scored a touchdown in their last 10 quarters and that helped prompt a change to quarterback Drew Stanton for Sunday's game against the New York Giants. Cardinals coach Bruce Arians announced the switch at his press conference Monday. Stanton, who is recovered from a knee injury, will replace Blaine Gabbert as the starter.
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Stanton suffered the injury in Week 10. Gabbert started the past five games, with the Cardinals going 2-3. Arizona was eliminated from playoff contention with Sunday's loss to the Washington Redskins.
"It is no fault of Blaine," Arians said. "I think Blaine is going to be a hell of a player, but Drew already knows all those scenarios. He's healthy enough now and it's just a matter of getting those touchdowns that are there from experience, and trying to win this game.
"But it is no way an indictment on Blaine. I think he's played his (butt) off for (five) weeks."
Gabbert has passed for 1,086 yards and six touchdowns against six interceptions.
But the failures to reach the end zone were costly. Arizona went 0-for-6 in the red zone in the 20-15 loss to the Redskins.
The Cardinals (6-8) may be out of the playoff race but Arians made it clear the team is trying to win its final two games.
He said that approach is part of the reason for going with Stanton against the Giants.
"I just think Drew's going to give us a better chance to win this game this week," Arians said. "For me, we're not going to throw our hands up and say, 'Hey, let's lose the games and get a better draft pick.' That's all bull(crap) to me.
"We're going to take the guys we think can win this game and go win this game."
Stanton has passed for 540 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions this season. The 33-year-old saw his most extensive action for Arizona in 2014 when he passed for 1,711 yards and seven touchdowns against five interceptions.
Regular starter Carson Palmer suffered a broken left arm on Oct. 22. His return this season hasn't been ruled out but appears more unlikely with the Cardinals now out of the playoff hunt.
