ASHBURN, Va. — If the Giants think their season has stumbled into chaos — with a coach whose job appears to be on the line, a blizzard hampering their preparation for Sunday’s game and their playoff chances slipping away — they should look to the Washington Redskins to put things into perspective.
Donovan McNabb being sacked by the Giants’ Osi Umenyiora in the Giants’ win Dec. 5. The teams meet again Sunday.
Unlike the Giants, who won the Super Bowl three fading years ago, the once-dominant Redskins have suffered through 19 long seasons without winning the N.F.L. championship. Since capturing a division title in 1999 — Dan Snyder’s first year as owner — the Redskins have become a definition for dysfunction, relying on no less than 7 head coaches and 16 quarterbacks.
In that time, they have had only two winning seasons. And this year, as the players and Coach Mike Shanahan bemoan, is not one of them.
The Redskins are 6-9 this season, in a campaign marked by instability brought by a new head coach, power struggles with players like the extravagantly paid defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth and a very public spat involving quarterback Donovan McNabb.
Even if they defeat the Giants on Sunday in suburban Washington, there is no way — once again — that they will have much to feel good about.
Full story: Rough Decade for the Redskins – NYTimes.com