Matchups for the NFC championship game today between the New York Giants and San Francisco:

When the Giants

have the ball

The Giants scored 394 points and were extremely efficient down the stretch to win the NFC East. They’ve continued that in the playoffs, mixing in big plays with ball security, getting huge contributions from WRs Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and Mario Manningham, and just enough rushing from Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs.

Eli Manning makes it all work and has been brilliant for much of the season, even as the Giants (11-7) struggled to get into the postseason. Manning’s calm demeanor rubs off on his teammates, and he’s become particularly adept on third downs and in fourth quarters. He set an NFL regular-season record with 15 touchdown passes in the fourth quarter.

While Bradshaw and Jacobs have been decent and sporadically broke some long gains, the Giants have profited most on Manning’s arm. Look for them to attempt doing so again because the 49ers (14-3) have the league’s best run defense, led by All-Pros DT Justin Smith, LBs NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis, the most dynamic defender in this game.

Thanks to rookie Aldon Smith and Justin Smith up front and LB Ahmad Brooks in a turnaround season, the 49ers have an underrated and dangerous pass rush. Watch for Aldon Smith on edge rushes and some stunts, and for Justin Smith just about anywhere.

When the 49ers

have the ball

If the Niners establish the run with Frank Gore, who rushed for 1,211 yards and eight TDs, and can spring backup Kendall Hunter a few times, it will make QB Alex Smith more effective. In by far the best season of his seven-year career, Smith has avoided turnovers, made more precise throws than ever and been patient. He also can use his legs, as he showed with that masterful sweep for a 28-yard TD against the Saints.

Playing it smart on offense is San Francisco’s style – out of necessity and thanks to the coaching acumen of Jim Harbaugh. The receiving corps, other than TE Vernon Davis, is mediocre.

San Francisco must neutralize the Giants’ potentially overpowering pass rush led by All-Pro DE Jason Pierre-Paul, DEs Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora, and revitalized LB Michael Boley.

The Giants stumbled often in pass coverage for much of the season, but came on in recent weeks against the likes of Tony Romo, Matt Ryan and Aaron Rodgers.

Special teams

The 49ers have an All-Pro kicker in David Akers and punter in Andy Lee. Need we say more about their kicking game?

Akers set a league mark with 44 field goals, in part because San Francisco bogged down in the red zone too much. He also has kept his range despite being in his 13th season.

Lawrence Tynes has made almost as many clutch field goals as Akers, and his kickoffs have improved recently. Steve Weatherford has been terrific in the second half as the Giants’ punter.

Coaching

It’s been perplexing for months that many Giants fans were eager for a coaching change, especially when the team hit the meat of the schedule and lost four straight. Coughlin stayed the course, never panicked, made sure his players kept their focus – and look where he has them now.

Harbaugh’s first pro season as a head coach has been wildly successful. He changed the attitude in a once-divisive locker room, made his players believe in themselves, and provided a steady presence for the likes of Alex Smith, Davis and WR Michael Crabtree. He has a difficult chore coaching against a master such as Coughlin, but Harbaugh certainly won’t back down.