Teammate Ray Rice expects Torrey Smith to step up in the absence of Anquan Boldin this season.

"I've seen Torrey Smith get scouted as a guy that just goes deep," Rice said Tuesday. "That's what the scouting report was: 'Let's defend the deep ball.' But, then I've seen Torrey Smith run intermediate routes. I've seen Torrey Smith line up in the slot. That's what you call a complete No. 1 receiver." Smith will be counted on to be a more complete player in 2013, but it remains to be seen if he has the chops to morph from a pure deep threat. Smith has high-end WR2 upside.

Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome says the team is counting on Torrey Smith to step up as a leader following the trade of Anquan Boldin.

The Ravens will also count on Smith to become a more complete player, running a wider arrange of routes and beating coverage more than taking it away. "Torrey Smith knows exactly what needs to be done now," Newsome said. "He had two years with Anquan. He's been mentored by him." Smith was was held under 50 receptions in 16 starts last year. The Ravens will need 60-plus out of him in 2013.

It is the end of the NFL year. The Ravens of Baltimore will play the 49ers of San Francisco. The game will be held at the Superdome in New Orleans. The NFL celebrates its championship for the 47th time. For the first time ever, the game will feature coaches who happen to be brothers facing off against each other. The coach of the Ravens is John Harbaugh and the coach of the 49ers is his younger brother, Jim Harbaugh. So the game may also be referred to as the "Bro-Bowl." That will be gaining coverage, as well as their father Jack Harbaugh. As usual, I will write this year the case for each team and then end it with my prediction.

The Case For The Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens had been scuffling a little bit, losing four out of their last five weeks of the season to end the year 10-6. The Ravens then allowed only field goals to Indianapolis while they scored touchdowns. Then they had a miraculous win in Denver where they grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat. They followed that up with a really stifling defensive effort in manhandling New England. Baltimore beat the best of the AFC to get here.

The quarterback of the Ravens is Joe Flacco. He is known as a laid back cerebral player. But what I have seen from the Baltimore offense is the ability to take large chances downfield to the very talented wide receiver duo of Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin. Throw in a decent tight end in Dennis Pitta and those are enough weapons to get the job done in any circumstance.

The Baltimore Ravens used to be known for their defense. This year it was 16th in the league in allowing yards at 352.5 per game. The rush defense was a little bit better than their pass defense. In the playoffs they have specialized in a bend-but-don't-break defense. Indianapolis got to the red zone several times in their game against Baltimore but only came away with field goals.

The Baltimore Ravens' back story is the impending retirement of their outstanding linebacker Ray Lewis. Ever since he announced his retirement, the team has played better and better each game.

The Case For The San Francisco 49ers

Where have you been San Francisco? The 49ers are back in the Super Bowl for a sixth time. They are 5-0 all-time and they are a franchise that dominated the NFL landscape in parts of the 1980s and 1990s.

The 49ers had a record of 5-2-1 after their bye week. They impressively defeated New England at New England on Dec. 16. They also woefully lost to St. Louis on Dec. 2. They...