It's the morning of the games where we find out which teams we'll learn way too much about over the next two, lengthy weeks. And the injury reports are coming in, which promise an additional player in New England's backfield, and no apparent concerns for the key player on each AFC team.
Rex Burkhead is expected to be active for the Patriots. This is a slight hit to the value of Dion Lewis, as a healthy Burkhead will take some of Lewis' snaps.
The last two games that both Burkhead and Lewis played fully in, Lewis averaged 80 total yards without scoring, while Burkhead averaged 35 total yards, but scored 3 TDs. Burkhead in fact scored 6 TDs in his last four games prior to injuring a knee, while Lewis scored once. Lewis has been pretty awesome with Burkhead sidelined, seemingly earning featured-back status. But his scoring potential goes down some if Burkhead gets the goal-line work and takes some snaps away.
Mike Gillislee is expected to be inactive, but it's not clear if it has anything to do with a knee injury or the fact that he has no role with Lewis and Burkhead both available. The last six games both played, he was a healthy scratch.
Tom Brady (hand) is apparently fine. Maybe he'll be wearing a glove on his throwing hand. But one of the 10 or 15 best quarterbacks of all time will be out there trying to make it to his eighth Super Bowl.
Leonard Fournette (ankle) was removed from Jacksonville's injury report. He's good to go, and Jacksonville will try to lean on him and find a way to grind out a win on the ground. Stranger things have probably happened.
The noteworthy injury in Minnesota-Philadelphia is Adam Thielen. He was limited in practice all week with a back injury. Might not be significant, but it would have been nice to see him practice fully on Friday. He's officially questionable. He'll play and probably be fine, but you can consider the possibility that Stefon Diggs will get a few more targets, and Thielen might be limited.
Weather: In Philadelphia tonight, it should be about 45 degrees, not much wind, and only about a 15 percent chance of rain. In Foxborough, it will be pretty similar: 44 degrees, almost no chance of rain, and no wind either. Weather shouldn't be a factor in either championship game.
--Andy Richardson