Mike LaFleur did not wait for the full question. Asked after Sunday's 36-24 defeat in New Jersey whether he would consider changing quarterbacks, the Arizona Cardinals coach gave a one-word answer: "No."
That keeps Jacoby Brissett in the lineup for Sunday's home game against Detroit, after an afternoon in which the veteran threw a career-high three interceptions, according to azcardinals.com. The last came on the final play, and Giants cornerback Deonte Banks returned it 98 yards for a touchdown.
Brissett finished 21 of 35 for 166 yards and two touchdowns. His 55.2 passer rating was his lowest as a starter since 2022, Sports Illustrated's Cardinals site reported. Arizona's other options are Gardner Minshew, a veteran, and Carson Beck, a third-round rookie.
LaFleur spread the responsibility. On the first interception, he said, the pocket "ended up kind of getting a little bit leaky." Team writer Darren Urban noted that the first two picks were tipped and the last was a final-play throw the Giants were expecting. "There's a lot of factors," LaFleur said. "The last one is what it is right there, and we've got to improve."
Fast start, then a stall
Arizona started fast. Brissett threw a touchdown to Marvin Harrison Jr. and Tyler Allgeier ran for another as the Cardinals went up 14-3, the Associated Press reported. Arizona had 81 rushing yards after two drives and finished with 123, including 63 from rookie Jeremiyah Love and 42 from Allgeier, per ESPN's box score.
By the team site's count, Arizona produced four explosive plays, split evenly between runs and passes, doubling its total from the first three weeks.
From there the offense managed only 138 more yards, according to the AP.
The game turned in the third quarter. Arizona had a stop that would have held New York to a field goal and kept a 24-22 lead, but a defensive holding call on Dante Stills extended the drive, azcardinals.com reported. Giants quarterback Jameis Winston soon hit Theo Johnson from 11 yards out, New York converted the two-point try, and Arizona did not lead again.
Arizona still got one more shot when Harrison drew pass interference, setting up first-and-goal at the 4 with 22 seconds to play. The Cardinals could not cover those final four yards.
Damage up front
The loss also came with injuries up front. Left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. walked off late in the game holding his left arm, and LaFleur described it as a biceps problem, with further tests waiting until the team got home, the team site reported. Rookie Jayden Williams is next in line at the position.
