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Armed with an elite rookie quarterback in Robert Griffin III and an elite rookie running back in Alfred Morris, Shanahan has led the Redskins to their first NFC East championship since the 1999 season after they defeated the Dallas Cowboys 28-18 at home. Next week, they will have a tough one scheduled against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Wild Card.

But on to the story of the possibility of Mike Shanahan getting an extension from the Redskins. Maske writes that this is possibly a reward from the franchise to Shanahan for leading this team to the playoffs, including a seven-game winning streak that vaulted them into the postseason. Shanahan’s turn around shouldn’t be completely credited to him, but he deserves plenty of praise for guiding the Redskins to a successful campaign.

In nearly three seasons as head coach of the Washington Redskins before 2012, things didn’t go as smoothly for Shanahan and the franchise. He went a paltry 14-27 as the head coach, and his decision to name John Beck as the starter wasn’t exactly a high point for him. But all is forgiven after a division crown- especially when it is clinched against a hated rival.

Shanahan’s current contract runs out after the 2014 season, so I’m betting a new extension would tack on another three years to that deal for a full five. The original deal that Shanahan signed with the Redskins was for five seasons, so that seems to add up.

Maske reports that the Redskins are not sure if they want to extend their head man this offseason, or if they want to wait until after the 2013 season when Shanahan has just one year left on his deal.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.

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Dennard is up against some stiff competition, including Justin Blackmon who caught 236 passing yards in a near-upset of the AFC South rival Houston Texans. Robert Griffin III is the other favorite to win the award after turning in a perfect QB Rating and four touchdowns passes with a 14-15 line and exactly 200 passing yards.

The Colts also have a nominee in T.Y. Hilton, who had just over 100 receiving yards and a pair of touchdown catches. Hilton was a bane to the Patriots defensive backfield and burned Aqib Talib in a few occasions.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin has become a regular on the nominee list, and he put up 138 rushing yards on a soft Carolina Panthers defense to lead the Bucs to an overtime victory over their bitter NFC South rivals. He also caught four passes in the victory.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.