NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: Giants vs. 49ers and Ravens vs. Patriots Game Time

Championship Sunday is upon us, as the 2012 NFL Playoffs are down to just four teams remaining.

The New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens are set to square off in the AFC Championship while the San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants will meet in the NFC Championship game.

With streaking teams as well as those who dominated regular season play, there is no shortage of anticipation heading into Championship Sunday.

Here is everything you need to know about each of the two championship games.

New York Giants vs. San Francisco 49ers - NFC Championship

Where: San Francisco, CA, at Candlestick Park

When: 6:30 p.m. EST, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012

Where to Watch: NFL on FOX

The New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers will meet in what will be a rematch between these two teams this season.

In the previous meeting between the two sides, the 49ers got the best of the Giants in a 27-20 win in San Francisco.

The Giants come into this contest red hot behind the play of quarterback Eli Manning, winning four-straight games and five of the team's last six.  Manning has thrown for at least three touchdown passes in each of his last three starts.

The 49ers are the favorite in this contest, playing at home and also winning five of its last six games. A tenacious defensive effort and clutch last-minute play from QB Alex Smith and tight end Vernon Davis would be just enough to overcome a dynamic Saints team down the stretch.

The Giants have the opportunity to return to the Super Bowl after winning the big game in 2008 over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

It is the first time since 2002 that the 49ers are in the NFL playoffs, and the first time since 1997, they will be playing in the conference championship game. The 49ers will look to continue to add to the significant progress. A Super Bowl appearance would end an 18-year drought.

Prediction: Giants 24, 49ers 27

Kicker David Akers will be the difference in a close contest between these two NFC powerhouses. Expect another memorable Alex Smith finish in this one, as the 49ers will be Super Bowl bound after a victory over the Giants in the closing minutes of the game.

Baltimore Ravens vs. New England Patriots - AFC Championship

Where: Foxboro, MA, Gillette Stadium

When: 3:00 p.m. EST, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012

Where to Watch: NFL on CBS

The New England Patriots are 7.5-point favorites in this championship game, as the Patriots have come into this contest playing top-notch football as of late.

With nine wins in a row under the team's belt, the Patriots have been winning with explosive offense that has forced offenses to play catch-up the majority of the time. QB Tom Brady and his Patriots offense have scored at least 30 points in eight of the nine wins, while scoring at least 40, three of its last four outings.

Yet it is these same Patriots that have to overcompensate for what is easily one of the poorer defenses in the NFL production wise. They are a defense capable of making plays and creating turnovers, yet they are also one that allows plenty of yards.

The Ravens will look to capitalize on this weakness, in spite of struggling at times offensively throughout the course of the season.

Baltimore boasts one of the stronger defenses in the NFL, ranking No. 4 against the pass and No. 2 against the run.

Prediction: Ravens 24, Patriots 34

In what will be a contest decided by home-field advantage, expect the Patriots to make another Tom Brady-led Super Bowl charge in 2012. The Patriots offense has been clicking on all cylinders, as the TE duo of Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski will be too much to handle in the middle of the field for the Birds.