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NaVorro Bowman #53 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after making a tackled against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park on November 20, 2011 in San Francisco, California.

Mother Nature must be a 49ers fan.

Rain that is expected to drench Candlestick Park for Sunday's NFC Championship game not only benefits San Francisco's ground and pound offense, it should also slow down the New York Giants fierce pass rush and explosive passing game.

Although Giants star receiver Hakeem Nicks insists he has the advantage of knowing where he's going on a muddy field, the 49ers are obviously more familiar with the slick Stick than the Giants who played only three games on natural grass fields all season.

The 49ers are also likely to play a variety of zone coverages to prevent Eli Manning from launching his patented deep balls to speedy receivers Nicks, Mario Manningham and Victor Cruz. Ironically, Jim Harbaugh, who was criticized early in the season for being too conservative on offense, now looks like a prophet because the 49ers are at their best in a two-tight end, two back set. That run-first formation not only gives Frank Gore or Kendall Hunter the best chance to find daylight, it also makes it harder for the Giants talented defensive ends Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, and Jean Pierre-Paul to get to Alex Smith.

Last weekend, Alex defied all odds in winning a shootout with Drew Brees and the Saints. The 49ers cannot expect, nor game plan for Smith to do it again.

This time the 49ers have to win ugly.