GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Drew Stanton era kicked off Sunday, and the result was the same thing the surging Arizona Cardinals were getting out of starting quarterback Carson Palmer.

In his first start since Palmer tore a knee ligament and was lost for the season, Stanton passed for 306 yards and two early touchdowns to wide receiver Michael Floyd, and the Cardinals won the showdown of the NFC’s top two teams, defeating the Detroit Lions 14-6 Sunday.

With their sixth consecutive win, the Cardinals improved their league-leading record to 9-1. Arizona now holds a stunning, three-game lead in the NFC West over the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks, who lost earlier in the day to the Kansas City Chiefs, and the San Francisco 49ers, who defeat the New York Giants.

The Lions (7-3) saw their four-game winning streak end. Detroit was held to just 262 total yards while playing without running back Reggie Bush, sidelined due to a lingering ankle injury.

After keeping the Lions out of the end zone all afternoon, the Cardinals’ defense has held its past five opponents to a total of 10 fourth-quarter points this season.

Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford finished 18 of 30 for 183 yards and no touchdowns. He was intercepted once, by safety Rashad Johnson.

Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson shadowed Calvin Johnson well, holding the Lions’ All-Pro wide receiver to just five catches for 59 yards.

Stanton, meanwhile, looked like a man who was out to prove his former team it made a mistake in almost never letting him play while he was in Detroit. He completed 21 of 32 passes, though he was intercepted twice.

If he experienced any nerves coming into the game, Stanton quickly got rid of them. His third completion was a 42-yard bomb to Floyd for a 7-0 lead just three minutes after the opening kickoff.

Floyd was getting tugged upon in the end zone by cornerback Cassius Vaughn, but even the pass interference couldn’t stop the Arizona receiver from leaping up and coming down with the touchdown catch.

After a quick three-and-out by the Lions, Stanton again showed uncanny poise. He found fullback Robert Hughes on a quick hook route up the middle, which Hughes turned into a 49-yard gain. That helped set up Stanton’s second touchdown pass, a 12-yard strike to Floyd in the same spot in the end zone.

Before some fans even found their seats, the Cardinals were up 14-0, and there was still six minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Penalties didn’t help the Lions, who were flagged six times for 50 yards in the first half, nine times for 80 yards overall. The Cardinals weren’t penalized once during the first two quarters, and they wound up with four flags for 35 yards.

Arizona wasn’t able to add to its lead in the first half. Two drives were stalled by Stanton interceptions. The first came after a 30-yard completion to rookie wide receiver John Brown. Stanton tried to hit tight end John Carlson in the end zone, and linebacker Josh Bynes stepped in front for the pick.

Stanton lowered his shoulders and dived to tackle Bynes, holding him to a 17-yard return.

On the second interception, Vaughn snagged a pass intended for wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., and a 25-yard return put the Lions in the red zone. Detroit thought it made a first down after a short catch by tight end Eric Ebron, but he was ruled a yard short.

The Lions planned to go for it on fourth-and-1 from the Cardinals’ 10, but Stafford didn’t like what he saw out of Arizona’s defense, and after a second timeout, coach Jim Caldwell opted for the field goal.

Matt Prater’s 28-yarder made it 14-6 just before halftime. Earlier, near the end of the first quarter, Prater hit from 50 yards.

Lions starting right tackle LaAdrian Waddle left the game with an ankle injury in the third quarter and did not return.

NOTES: In addition to missing RB Reggie Bush and losing RT LaAdrian Waddle, the Lions played without two other offensive starters — RG Larry Warford and TE Brandon Pettigrew. … With his 22-yard reception near the end of the first quarter, Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald became the second-youngest player to reach 12,000 career receiving yards. He was 31 years, 77 days. Randy Moss was the youngest at 30 years, 306 days. … Matthew Stafford became the first Lions quarterback to reach 20,000 career passing yards when he completed a 30-yard pass to WR Golden Tate in the second quarter. … Hall of Fame CB Aeneas Williams, who spent the first 10 of his first NFL seasons with the Cardinals, was recognized during halftime ceremonies and presented with his Hall of Fame ring.