4 things that haven't changed about the conference championship winners and losers

• The Ravens still lose games they should win. Eye-ball and memory tests indicate they always skate on the edge of good and great. They've got heart, but no magic. I think teams have to have heart and something else. The 49ers have heart and smarts. So do the Patriots. The Giants have heart and magic. I don't believe they will ever play in a Super Bowl with the Coach-Quarterback combo they have. Then again, the same thing was said about Coughlin and Manning. They're a team that needs some magic.

•  The 49ers are still a very complete team. If they keep up the smart play they will likely win their division and maybe even have home field advantage in the playoffs.

• Giants' receivers Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks are still the most explosive receiver tandem in the League. If this duo stays healthy for Manning, the Giants can win games.

• The Patriots, though always competitive, are not the team they once were. They're good enough to make the Super Bowl on a missed field goal in a weak conference. However, like some universities ride the reputations they earned long ago, the Pats seem to let their reputation through the door first. When they lose and fans scratch their heads, they're silent. I can't figure what their identity is especially now that they don't have the continuity of yesteryear. It might be that they are too complicated of late. When they won Super Bowls they were simple and smart.

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