NFC championship game

Giants @ 49ers 

• Giants QB Eli Manning (illness) is active and all he had was a bug and was always expected to play.  
• Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) is active and the team was just being cautious with his foot during the week.
• Giants WR Hakeem Nicks (ankle) was limited in practice Friday but is active and never in danger of missing the game.  
• Giants TE Jake Ballard (knee) underwent a procedure on his knee but is active. How effective he will be remains to be seen but he’s been a continual disappointment despite some solid matchups.  
• 49ers WR Ted Ginn Jr. (knee) did not practice this week and is inactive. His loss will not be felt by fantasy owners but by the team in the battle for field position. Kyle Williams is the starter across Michael Crabtree, regardless.
• 49ers TE Delanie Walker (jaw) returned to practice this week and is active but has minimal value behind Vernon Davis but could always vulture a TD.  

Ravens @ Patriots

• Patriots QB Tom Brady (left shoulder) is active and has been dealing with an A.C. joint sprain since Week 16 in his non-throwing shoulder. He remains an elite play.
• Patriots RB Stevan Ridley is a healthy scratch and the current talk is that head coach Bill Belichick was not happy a fumble in each of the last two games. You add the Ravens to the mix and this is a brutal lesson for the rookie to learn. Look for Danny Woodhead, BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Kevin Faulk to carry the load.
• Patriots RB Shane Vereen (hamstring) continues to ride the pine on the inactive list for a fifth-straight game.
• Patriots WR Wes Welker (knee) was limited all week but is active and it was more of resting the veteran than anything else.
• Patriots WR Deion Branch (knee) is active, but if not 100 percent, may not post the numbers fantasy owners expect, but as a quality No. 3 fantasy WR in this offense, Branch always has upside.
• Patriots WR Chad Ochocinco is inactive and is a healthy scratch. Ochocinco was attending his father's funeral this week and our thoughts are with him. He only played in one offensive snap last week and has no fantasy value. Look for Julian Edelman and Tiquan Underwood to see his targets.
• Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez (concussion) was limited all week but is active and will play. While he's the team's No. 2 producing tight end, he's still a solid No. 1 fantasy play.