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Eli Manning has shouldered a monumental workload this season. Associated Press

But the most intriguing theory concerns the health of Manning's right arm. Is it possible that 10 games into a season they hope stretches all the way into February, the Giants quarterback is suffering from a lack of zip on his downfield throws?

The notion that Manning's slump may be attributable to a case of tiredness in his arm has been dissected since Sunday's blowout defeat by the Cincinnati Bengals. Coach Tom Coughlin said he didn't think there was anything physically wrong with his star quarterback. Manning also dismissed the idea that his arm was tired after playing 10 games without a break.

"I am still making the throws and I don't feel like it's tired," he said. "If my arm were tired, I would tell the coaches and we would adjust."

What's surprising about this line of inquiry is that pro quarterbacks don't usually answer questions about their arm strength. While baseball pitchers have long had their pitch counts monitored, NFL quarterbacks traditionally haven't been subjected to the same scrutiny because they rarely throw more than 40 passes per game.

But it may be time for a rethink. In today's game of spread offenses and pass-happy play-calling, there are signs that arm weariness could become a concern. Thanks to factors that range from the Giants' late-season bye week—which is this week—to the struggles of their run game, Manning has shouldered a monumental workload.

So far this season, Manning has thrown 364 passes in 10 games without a bye week. Since the NFL introduced the bye week in 1990, only Drew Brees in 2011 has thrown as much through 10 games of a season without having a week to rest up, according to Stats LLC.

In Sunday's 31-13 loss at Cincinnati, Manning threw a season-high 49 passes, but he said afterward that he didn't feel overworked. "I don't feel like we're overthrowing by any means," he said. "The ball is still coming out fine, so I don't see anything in it."

Manning's numbers the past few weeks sure look like his arm could use a rest. In his last three games, he has completed just 54.5% of his passes for 532 yards, no touchdowns and four interceptions. Most striking of all, his success on deep throws has markedly declined.

Through the season's first seven weeks, Manning had a completion rate of 43.3% on passes of 21 yards or more. Since then, he has completed just 25% of those.

Granted, there are other factors at work, including the pressure opposing defenses have put on him lately. Manning was sacked four times by the Bengals and was pressured a combined 38 times in the Giants' three previous games. When under pressure this season, Manning's passer rating has dropped from 95.0 to 58.2, according to Pro Football Focus, while only one of his 12 touchdowns has occurred under these circumstances.

Whatever the reason for his current slump, Manning's teammates haven't detected a decline in his play. Wide receiver Victor Cruz caught just three passes for 26 yards against Cincinnati, but said Manning was throwing with the same velocity he showed when leading the Giants to the Super Bowl title last season.

"He's still the same person, the same guy," said Cruz. "Nothing's really changed."

Write to Jonathan Clegg at