The ever-revolving door that is Washington’s quarterback position appears ready for another dispirited turn. A neck injury to Colt McCoy is threatening his status against the New York Giants, meaning Robert Griffin III could be in line to return to the starting lineup this weekend.
There’s been no official word on McCoy’s status, but the quarterback appeared in such discomfort while speaking to the media on Monday that Chris Russell of ESPN Radio 980 claimed “it’s hard to see him playing Sunday.” McCoy, who was clubbed in the neck while taking a blindside sack from Robert Quinn in a loss to the St. Louis Rams, suffered what was called a sprained neck by the team. McCoy was taken to the hospital for testing after the game and some reports indicate the injury may in fact be a pinched nerve.
The 2014 NFL season has been a great demonstration of something the league is proud to consistently produce: parity. There are 19 teams with winning records, and the distance separating, say, our seventh-ranked team with the 13th-ranked squad is paper thin. You can make arguments for shuffling the Cardinals, Cowboys, Lions, Ravens, Chargers, Steelers and Bengals (and I’m sure you will), but each club has distinct strengths and weaknesses that put them in this group.
Arizona got back on track this week with a comeback win at home against the Chiefs, further cementing its grip on a playoff berth. The Cards have a dominant defense — no one really questions that — but it’s their offense that many worry about. After losing Carson Palmer earlier this season, they’ll now be without Andre Ellington as well, and moving the football will be a constant battle for them. I’m not saying it can’t or won’t happen, but Drew Stanton is still a remarkably consistent 50 percent passer.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys stuck to their identity on offense and had no trouble taking out the Bears, setting themselves up nicely for a rematch with the Eagles this week. The Lions are starting to get some of their offensive mojo back with their second straight 34-point performance.