The Associated Press

Landover, Md.

The New York Giants have shoved every distraction aside, including a shooting incident involving their star receiver, to become as dominant as, say, a Chicago Bulls team with Michael Jordan.

Perhaps that's no coincidence.

At one of the first meetings of training camp, coach Tom Coughlin discussed the 1991-92 Bulls as a team for the Giants to emulate in the bid to repeat as Super Bowl champions. That was the first season MJ won a back-to-back, and the Giants remained solidly on pace to keep up with His Airness after Sunday's 23-7 victory over the Washington Redskins .

"That really kind of set our whole season going and focused in the right direction," receiver Amani Toomer said. "And we've been answering every call ever since."

Added defensive end Justin Tuck: "Maybe everybody wants to have something to do with Michael Jordan."

Jordan would certainly approve of the 11-1 record, as well as the way the Giants aren't letting anything - on or off the field - get in the way. Two days after Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself at a Manhattan nightclub, the Men in Blue braved a dreary mid-Atlantic rain to hold Clinton Portis to a season-low 22 yards and produce Eli Manning's first 300-yard game of the season.

"We can't fly yet," Tuck said. "But on the Football field, we're playing pretty well. Obviously you try your best to stay grounded and stay humble about it, but right now we're playing good Football."

Burress' injuries are not serious, but he is expected to deal with a criminal charge over the shooting, his latest misstep in a season of fines and suspension. The Giants have won seven straight, including six in a row against teams with winning records, and have a three-game lead over second-place Dallas with four to play. They completed a sweep of the Redskins by manhandling them in the major statistical categories, including total yards (404-320) and possession (35:44-24:16).

They set the tone on the game's first drive, accepting the Redskins' dare to throw the ball in the bad weather. With Washington bracing for the run and playing a pressing man-to-man defense, Manning threw for 68 on the drive, capped when Toomer beat Fred Smoot one-on-one down the right sideline for a 40-yard touchdown.

The Redskins (7-5) have lost three of four, with all three losses at home and only four touchdowns combined in the four games. After a 6-2 start, they now trail Dallas in the wild-card race.

No one epitomized the Redskins' mood better than coach Jim Zorn, whose day was already rolling downhill when he watched his team fail to stop the Giants' first extra point - even though the holder bobbled the ball badly.

Manning finished 21 for 34 for 305 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Brandon Jacobs, who missed last week's game with a knee injury, rushed for 71 yards on 21 carries. Toomer caught five passes for 85 yards and a score.

Jason Campbell went 23 for 38 for 232 yards with one interception for the Redskins, whose only score came on a 29-yard run by rookie receiver Devin Thomas on a double reverse.

23 n.y. Giants 7 washington

Taylor inducted into Ring of Fame LANDOVER, Md. | Announced one last time as the "starting free safety" for the Washington Redskins , Sean Taylor was inducted into the team's Ring of Fame before Sunday's game.

With his mother, father, girlfriend and daughter huddled under umbrellas near the center of the field, Taylor's name was unveiled on the upper-level facade of FedEx Field, joining 42 other Redskins greats.

His father, Pedro Taylor, told the crowd that his son used to say of the fans: "When you guys make the stadium rock, he begins to rock."

"Right now," Pedro Taylor said, "Sean is rocking in heaven."

After the ceremony, the public address announcer said: "Starting at free safety for your Washington Redskins , No. 21, Sean Taylor."

Running back Clinton Portis, Taylor's close friend, then ran onto the field carrying a large burgundy flag with a gold No. 21.

Taylor was shot in his Florida home last Nov. 26 and died a day later.

- The Associated Press