USA DAWN: NEWS AND UPDATES

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The details of running back Rex Burkhead's contract with the New England Patriots are in, and they reflect how the club views him as a key contributor in 2017. Per ESPN NFL Insider Field Yates, the pact has a maximum value of $3.15 million and breaks down like this: Signing bonus:  $1.1 million Base salary:  $1.8 million Roster bonus:  $250,000 ($15,625 per game) Salary-cap charge:  $3.15 million Burkhead's one-year deal gives him another shot at free agency next offseason. The thinking could be that with a more expanded role on offense in New England than he had in Cincinnati, his value could be higher on the market in 2018. To put this deal in context from the team's perspective, consider that the Patriots signed LeGarrette Blount last year to a one-year, $1 million contract in 2016. So Burkhead is obviously viewed as a key cog in 2017, both offensively and on special teams. Of the 63 playe...

Jamie Squire Super Bowl Media Day is a little different than it was 48 years ago, when reporters could casually walk over to a star quarterback and  interview him poolside . Now, Media Day is called Opening Night Fueled By Gatorade, and the band X Ambassadors will be performing during the event. It's a long way's away from 1969. Here are the details surrounding this year's event.    Super Bowl Opening Night Details Date:  Monday, January 30 Location:  Minute Maid Park (home of the Houston Astros) TV:  NFL Network, FoxSports 1, ESPN and Fox Deportes Interview Schedule (all times ET): 7 p.m.: Atlanta Falcons interview session begins 8 p.m.: Joint team interview 9 p.m.: New England Patriots interview session begins Super Bowl Opening Night Storylines Political Talk Given New England Patriots quarterback  Tom Brady's openness about his friendship with President Donald Trump, coupled with the events that took plac...

New England Patriots defensive end Chris Long (95) is congratulated by teammates after recovering a fumble by the New York Jets during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Patriots won 22-17. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)  (Julio Cortez) The New England Patriots have an unlikely challenger for the top spot in the AFC. Around the same time the Pats squeaked out a win early Sunday night, the Raiders were pulling off a 35-32 win across the country, rallying from an eight-point deficit against the Panthers in the fourth quarter. Both teams have their flaws, but both are 9-2 with five games remaining on the schedule. Home field advantage in the playoffs is paramount, as evidenced by New England's trip to Denver for the 2015 AFC championship game. So where does each team stand? The Raiders appear to have a much tougher schedule down the stretch. PATRIOTS (9-2) Week 13: vs. Los Angeles Rams (4-7) Week 14: vs...