NFL Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals Confident Drew Stanton Will Start In Playoffs

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By @MichaelTerrill

Drew Stanton

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The Seattle Seahawks can brag all they want about their beat down of the Arizona Cardinals Sunday night. But, the reality is they were going up against a third-string quarterback. Even though Ryan Lindley is expected to play at least half of the game in Week 17, the Cardinals are confident they will have Drew Stanton ready to go in the playoffs.

“He’s going to practice some this week and we’ll see how it goes,” Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said, according to ESPN.com. “Do not plan on playing him this week unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

Absolutely necessary means if the division is on the line, which it only is if the Seahawks lose to the St. Louis Rams on Sunday. Of course, since Arizona and Seattle play at the exact same time, they will find out at the same time who will be crowned NFC West champs and who will have a first-round bye in the playoffs. For that reason, there is no purpose to rush Stanton back from his knee injury this week, which is why two different quarterbacks will see action in the regular season finale.

Rookie Logan Thomas is expected to start the game and play for at least the first half. Meanwhile, Lindley, who passed for 216 yards and an interception against the Seahawks, will most likely see time under center in the second half.

No matter whom they face in the playoffs, there is no denying the Cardinals have a much better chance of winning with Stanton leading the offense. In nine games in his second season in Arizona, the 30-year-old quarterback completed 55.0 percent of his passes for 1,711 yards and seven touchdowns. He also tossed five interceptions, but for the most part, he has taken great care of the football considering the defenses he has faced this season.

If Stanton is unable to go, Thomas and Lindley both playing in Week 17 means it is an audition for who will start in Stanton’s place in the playoffs.

Michael Terrill is a Senior Writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @MichaelTerrill, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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