What the Steelers will do: The return to form of RB Willie Parker and the impact he has on the offense is not to be discounted. Parker had 146 yards against the Chargers and scored on runs of 3 and 16 yards. And the Ravens had trouble with Tennessee's Chris Johnson, a back similar to Parker, allowing him 72 yards rushing on 11 carries before he was injured last week. With a renewed running game, QB Ben Roethlisberger will not be afraid to take chances downfield against Ravens CBs Fabian Washington or Samari Rolle, especially in single coverage.

What the Ravens will do: As calm and poised as QB Joe Flacco looked in the first meeting against the Steelers, that's how confused and ineffective he was in the rematch in Baltimore, passing for 115 yards with two interceptions and a passer rating of 22.2. Flacco has completed 44.4 percent of his passes and thrown only one touchdown in the postseason, but he has not thrown an interception and made big throws in key situations. A big question is the health of RB Le'Ron McClain (sprained ankle). McClain has rushed for 150 yards in two games against the Steelers.

S Ed Reed: In a game featuring two All-Pro safeties, Reed might be the best big-play safety in NFL history. After intercepting a league-high nine passes in the regular season, including six in the final four games, he has two more picks in the postseason, one for a 64-yard touchdown return against the Miami Dolphins. It was Reed's third interception return for touchdown this season.

Game: Baltimore Ravens (13-5) at Steelers (13-4).

When: 6:30 p.m.

Where: Heinz Field.

TV: KDKA.

Radio: WDVE-FM (102.5), WBGG-AM (970).

The Ravens have won 11 of their past 13 games and are 7-3 on the road this season, including 2-0 in playoffs. But they lost both meetings against the Steelers this season and have lost seven of eight games at Heinz Field, including a 2001 playoff game. The Steelers are 1-4 in their past AFC championship games at home, including 0-2 at Heinz Field.

To win, the Ravens must ...

1. Have Flacco be no ordinary Joe. The rookie QB will have to make plays in the passing game if the Ravens are to beat their rival.

2. Watch out for the James Gang. The Ravens will have to account for Steelers linebackers James Harrison and James Farrior.

3. Feed off Reed. Despite leading the league in picks, Reed doesn't have an interception in his past five games against the Steelers.

To win, the Steelers must ...

1. Be Raven-ous with the run.The Steelers haven't rushed for more than 100 yards against the Ravens since October 2005

2. Chain McClain. The Steelers led the NFL in yards per rush attempt, and they held the Chargers to a franchise postseason-record 15 yards rushing.

3. Keep the nose clean. NT Haloti Ngata can dominate opposing centers and leads the Ravens' defensive linemen with 77 tackles.