Embarrassing Losses

Redskins shutout 36-0

The first place New York Giants(5-2) embarrased the Washington Redskins with a 36-0 win on Sunday, playing an emotional game after the death of their owner Wellington Mara. Washington (4-3), a 52-17 winner over San Francisco a week earlier, managed just 34 yards in the first half and finished with 125. The Redskins didn't cross midfield until the last minute of the third quarter. It was the first time a Joe Gibbs coached team had been shut-out.

``I think we all realized what was at stake,'' said head coach Joe Gibbs. ``We had talked about it all week, the big ballgame for us and for them there was a lot at stake. There was a lot riding on it and we didn't play well. I think we take a long hard look at ourselves, and it certainly starts with me.''

Redskin quarterback Mark Brunell entered the game with the fourth-highest quarterback rating in the NFL, but finished 11-for-28 for 65 yards and could not solve a secondary that entered the game having given up the second-most yards in the NFL. Running back Clinton Portis had a career low of only 6 yards rushing.

D.C. United shutout 4-0

By the time Freddy Adu got in the game, D. C. United was already well on their way to the most embarrassing playoff loss in the franchise's 10-year history.

The defending MLS champions were eliminated 4-0 Sunday by the Chicago Fire, a game in which United's best player was ejected for spitting at someone's face and the post-game talk centered as much on 16-year-old Adu's future as the poor effort shown by the team that has won four league titles.

Adu has been openly critical of his limited playing time this season and may have played his last game with Washington. D.C. United was the defending MLS champions and the timing of Adu's comments during the playoffs the past two weeks certainly created problems for the team.