NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: Key Player For Each Team in Conference Championships

And then there were four.

With the NFL Conference Championships upcoming this Sunday, it's time to take a look at one player from each team who will be an especially integral aspect of each team's result.

Here's who you should be watching closely.

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots

Date and time: Sunday, January 22 (3:00 p.m. EST on CBS)

Patriots home record: 8-1

Ravens road record: 4-4

Key Raven: Joe Flacco

The Ravens defense may be able to slow New England's offense, but they certainly won't stop them. And the Ravens shouldn't count on forcing four turnover against Tom Brady and the Patriots like they did against T.J. Yates and the Houston Texans.

14-of-27 for 176 yards isn't going to cut it against New England, Flacco.

We all want to see it—can Flacco lead his team to postseason glory? Can he make the big throws, protect the ball and lead Baltimore past New England?

We'll find out.

Key Patriot: Wes Welker

The Ravens were stingy against tight ends in the regular season, as Edward Lee of the Baltimore Sun notes.

"

The Ravens have surrendered the second-fewest yards in the NFL to tight ends (665), the second-fewest touchdowns (three) and the sixth-fewest receptions (62). No tight end has gained more than 73 yards against the defense this season.

"

But if the Ravens manage to do what most NFL teams haven't this season—contain Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez—it should leave Wes Welker in favorable matchups.

It is what makes the Patriots so difficult to defend—they have three elite weapons defenses need to account for. If Welker has a huge day, the Patriots will be tough to beat.

New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers

Date and time: Sunday, January 22 (6:30 p.m. EST on FOX)

49ers home record: 8-1

Giants road record: 6-3   

Key Giant: Eli Manning

I wrote it in another article, but I'll mention it again here: The 49ers are susceptible against the pass.

But they also win because they cause turnovers and protect the ball themselves.

Thus, the key for the Giants falls on the right shoulder of Eli Manning, who should have success passing down the field against San Francisco. So long as he doesn't throw interceptions, I think the 49ers will have a difficult time slowing down New York's offense and keeping up with them on the scoreboard.

Key Niner: Vernon Davis

Given the option, most teams would probably prefer putting the game in the hands of Alex Smith and taking away the running game.

With the way the Giants have been pressuring the quarterback as of late, keeping the 49ers in obvious passing downs and dialing up the rush will be just what the doctor ordered for a New York victory.

That's where Vernon Davis comes in. Davis went off last weekend to the tune of seven catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns, and he's a nightmare matchup for any defense.

If Davis can get loose across the middle like he did against the Saints, the 49ers have a real chance to move the ball against New York's surging defense.

Hit me up on the Twitter—my tweets are FDA approved.