Second prize is a set of steak knives

In the 1992, independent dramatic film Glengarry Glen Ross, the character Blake, played by Alec Baldwin, is an arrogant, cocky, hot shot sales strategist. Blake is brought in to motivate the under performing sales force and has a very insightful quote regarding second prize in the monthly sales contest or for in our case the second seed in the playoffs.

Alec Baldwin as Blake in Glengarry Glen Ross

Blake: "We're adding a little something to this month's sales contest. As you all know, first prize is a Cadillac Eldorado. Anybody want to see second prize?"

[Holds up prize]

Blake: "Second prize is a set of steak knives. Third prize is you're fired."

Since 2001, the 2nd overall seed coming off a bye week playing in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs, has not been all it's cracked up to be. The 2nd seed in both the NFC and AFC have a 10-8 record. 5 out of the past 6 years at least one of the 2nd seeds has lost this game. The only year during that span that this didn't happen was in 2004.

In 2004, The New England Patriots (AFC #2 seed) defeated the Indianapolis Colts and the Atlanta Falcons (NFC #2 seed) defeated the St. Louis Rams. The New England Patriots would defeat the Philadelphia Eagles (NFC #1 seed) for their 3rd Super Bowl in 4 years.

This is looking good for the tough minded Baltimore Ravens and the Seattle Seahawks who just defeated the past Super Bowl Champion, the New Orleans Saints. The Baltimore Ravens face a Pittsburgh Steelers team that has faced an uphill battle all year with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Pittsburgh started 3-1 with Ben Roethlisberger on a six game suspension that would be reduced to 4 games. The only loss during that span came from the Baltimore Ravens (17-14). Roethlisberger would later break his fifth metatarsal in Week 12 against the Buffalo Bills. This was a pre-existing injury from seven or eight years ago would not be enough to keep Roethlisberger from playing in Week 13 versus the Ravens. In that game, Roethlisberger would break his nose and still pulled out a win despite already wearing a special boot. The Ravens losing at home to Pittsburgh (13-10) ended up the deciding factor in a home field advantage in the playoffs.

Both Baltimore and Pittsburgh are running on all cylinders. This will be a hard fought game that comes down to one statistic; Time of Possession. Steelers and Ravens will take care of the ball, both teams will limit themselves on penalties. This game will come down to only one stat, total time of possession. The last time Baltimore and Pittsburgh played each other in the playoffs was in the 2008-2009 season.

Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens

In the 2008-2009 season, Baltimore's rookie quarterback, Joe Flacco, was only the eighth rookie quarterback in the NFL to start a playoff game. Joe Flacco that season managed to be the first rookie quarterback to win two road games, during the playoffs. Flacco and his Ravens would go on the road and defeat the Dolphins 27-9 and then traveled to Tennessee to take down the Titans 13-10. That is where the magical season for the Ravens would end. Flacco would throw 3 INTs against the Steelers and send Pittsburgh to face Arizona in the Super Bowl. 

 Pittsburgh dominated the Time of Possession back in the 2008-2009 AFC Championship game with help from all of the turnovers. This time will be different with a more experienced Flacco, who has a better understanding of the game. Ravens will control the clock, hold on to the ball, and will win this match up. Once again the second seed will be sent home with only a set of steak knives. I hope they are at least a nice set of Wusthof's  

Next up, Chicago Bears against the Seattle Seahawks.  Can you think of four ways that the Seahawks will defeat the Bears?  I can.