"Is Michael Crabtree, once and finally, an NFC Championship game-changer?

If it happens that way on Sunday -- if it's 49ers over the New York Giants, Crabtree in a starring role -- you get the sense that nobody would be less surprised than Crabtree himself.

It could come down to this. In many ways, it should come down to Crabtree, rise or fall.

Reputation remade; or questions continued.

"Every game -- my responsibility is big every game," Crabtree said Friday after the 49ers practice.

"I play wideout. I'm the receiver, you know? A lot on my shoulders."

Yes, there is a lot, and especially for this game, of all games.

Tight end Vernon Davis was the superstar in the New Orleans victory; you would have to believe that the Giants defense will devote extra attention to him Sunday.

That leaves the 49ers' receiver corps as Alex Smith's main option. And if Ted Ginn Jr. is limited or out with a knee injury, that group would be down to Crabtree, Kyle Williams, Brett Swain and Joe Hastings.

Spotlight on Crabtree, right there. But in that New Orleans game, Crabtree had almost as many drops (three, by unofficial count) as he had receptions (four for 25 yards and a touchdown).

"That's not normal for me to drop the ball," Crabtree said. "Two or three drops, I mean, it haunted me. I couldn't sleep.

"But at the same time, you've got to put that behind you and go catch the ball. Do what I do.""