Curses!

Since 1936, whenever the Redskins won the last game before a presidential election, the incumbent remained in power. When they lost, so did the president. This has been accurate for the last 17 elections. (Yes, I know, in 1936 the Skins were still in Boston, but I'll get to that implication in a moment.) So yesterday's results were by no means comforting to the GOP, considering the Redskins lost to the Packers, 28-14. Washington's offense, led by the hapless Mark Brunell, was unable to make touchdowns even when their defense--perhaps the best in the entire league--brought them deep into Packers territory.

So does this mean Bush is doomed? Not quite. With 2 minutes and 43 seconds left in the 4th quarter, Brunell managed to connect with Clinton Portis who ran for a 43-yard touchdown. This would have ultimately put Washington in the lead, 21-20. But chaos ensued as a flag was thrown, ostensibly because of an illegal motion--first on Clinton Portis and later on Fred Smoot. It still remains unclear exactly who committed what penalty. Both staff and players were left wondering what happened--and officials have yet to give a full-explanation.

In other words, Washington should have won this game. Put the asterisk next to this loss. (Also, as one commentator pointed out, if the Red Sox were able to finally break the curse this year, so too, perhaps, with the Redskins--another team with Boston roots.)