Story lines: The Ravens have to establish running back Ray Rice with handoffs, screens and dumpoffs out of the backfield. Rice led the league in yards from scrimmage (2,068) and Baltimore needs to control the tempo and keep the Patriots' offense off the field . . . The Ravens were fourth in the league in pass defense, but the best quarterback they've faced in the last 2 months was Philip Rivers, who had 270 yards when the Chargers thumped Baltimore in Week 15. Tom Brady represents a much tougher challenge . . . Wes Welker had 122 catches in the regular season and still isn't the Patriots' most dangerous receiver. Tight end Rob Gronkowski (20 TDs counting playoffs) is . . . Brady is 9-2 at home in the postseason with one of the losses coming to the Ravens (above). The other was to the Jets after the 2010 season . . . Weather not expected to be a factor. The forecast is for very little wind, dry conditions and temperatures in the 30s.
Key injuries: Baltimore safety Ed Reed injured his left ankle on the final play of Sunday's win, but practiced yesterday and appears fine . . . After a maintenance day Wednesday, Brady was back on the field yesterday.
Fun stuff: Reed ruffled feathers when he suggested teammate Joe Flacco looked rattled at times last week against Houston's defense. As usual, the truth was lost amid the hubbub of Reed's comments. Flacco was shaky last week.
Neat prop: The over/under of receiving yards for Rob Gronkowski is 82 1/2. The Ravens gave up the second-fewest yards to tight ends, an average of 41.6.
Pick: New England is averaging 37.3 points during its nine-game winning streak. Patriots, 27-16.
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What: NFC Championship Game
Who: N.Y. Giants (4) at San Francisco (2)
When: Sunday, 6:30 p.m.
TV: Fox29 (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver, Chris Myers).
Radio: WIP, 94.1-FM (Kevin Harlan, Dan Fouts, Mark Malone).
Point spread: Niners -2 1/2.
Over/under: 42.
