League to use Shrine game as development

Redskins-Giants, Packers-Lions only real playoff drama left today

The NFL is partnering with the East-West Shrine game to increase development opportunities for coaches and draft-eligible players.

The NFL will supply the coaching staffs for the two teams from among current league assistant coaches whose teams do not advance to the playoffs.

Game officials from the league also will work the contest, which features some of college football’s top draft prospects on Jan. 21 from St. Petersburg, Fla.

“The East-West Shrine Game is not only a showcase for tremendous athletes who have a dream of playing at the next level, it is also a venue for upwardly mobile coaches in the NFL,” NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent says. “This is an opportunity to further develop, evaluate and showcase our assistant coaches who may be our next generation of head coaches.”

After the regular season ends today, teams will nominate deserving assistant coaches. They will be reviewed by a panel that includes NFL football operations staff, East-West Shrine game leadership and two members of the NFL’s general managers advisory committee. Once the head coaches are selected, each one will fill his 12-person staff from among other NFL assistant coaches nominated by the clubs.

PLAYOFFS: Bad form for the AFC, which has all six of its playoff qualifiers determined heading into the final Sunday of the schedule.

While there are still some things to be decided there (seeding, matchups), the drama is center stage in the NFC. The sharpest spotlights will be in the nation’s capital in the afternoon, then in the Motor City at night.

If the Redskins beat the Giants, then the loser between the Packers and Lions won’t get into the postseason.

If New York prevails, both Green Bay and Detroit are in — same thing if they tie regardless of what the Redskins do — and will be playing for who earns the NFC North title and who becomes a wild card.

JERSEY REPORT: Judging by jersey sales, the Dallas Cowboys remain America’s Team.

According to the DICK’S Sporting Goods Jersey Report , four Cowboys are in the top 20 for jersey sales this season, the only team with that many. Rookie quarterback Dak Prescott is ranked 11th overall, wide receiver Dez Bryant comes in at No. 14, rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott at 15, and veteran tight end Jason Witten at 20.

Dallas is the only team with four jerseys inside the top 50, let alone the top 20.

RAVENS: Baltimore placed linebacker Zachary Orr on injured reserve and elevated former Navy star Keenan Reynolds from the practice squad.

Orr, the team’s leading tackler, will miss today’s finale at Cincinnati with a neck injury.

Reynolds was drafted in the sixth round of the 2016 draft. He excelled at quarterback at Navy, but is seeking to make in the NFL as a receiver. His move to the 53-man roster puts him in position to make his pro debut today.

BEARS: Chicago linebacker Pernell McPhee will miss the finale at Minnesota because of a shoulder injury.

LIONS: Detroit put running back Theo Riddick on injured reserve with a wrist injury.