The AFC North is the most challenging division in the NFL.
The season started with four potential 2024 playoff teams and tons of storylines. As HBO’s Hard Knocks takes an inside, in-season look at this historical division, fans will now have an up-close look at the Ravens and Steelers chase for a division title.
For the first time since its debut, the award-winning docuseries goes behind the scenes of an entire NFL division for the first time. Warner Brothers Discovery made the announcement back in June.
HARD KNOCKS: IN SEASON WITH THE AFC NORTH, will document the battle for the AFC North crown during the final six weeks of the NFL season and a playoff run for the division-winner and any AFC North Wild Card teams. The 18-time Emmy®-winning series will deliver its signature all-access coverage as it follows the Mike Tomlin-coached Pittsburgh Steelers, who have never been featured on “Hard Knocks” in the history of the series, as well as coach John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens, coach Zac Taylor’s Cincinnati Bengals, and coach Kevin Stefanski’s Cleveland Browns. Quarterbacks Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson, and Justin Fields will share the “Hard Knocks” spotlight with Derrick Henry, Ja’Marr Chase, Myles Garrett, TJ Watt, and an array of other AFC North star players.
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It will debut tonight, Tuesday, December 3, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and stream on Max. Subsequent Tuesdays will air through the end of the NFL regular season and continue into the NFL playoffs in January 2025. HBO released the first trailer a few weeks back, and it looks as intense as the action presents.
Baltimore was the first team featured on the original “Hard Knocks” training camp series 2001. Since then, the Bengals have appeared twice, in 2009 and 2013, and the Browns in 2018, while the Pittsburgh Steelers will be making their debut appearance. Storylines to watch will include Patrick Queen’s arrival in Pittsburgh and the renewed Steelers-Ravens rivalry.
Contract disputes in Cleveland, Deshaun Watson’s return and subsequent injury, Russell Wilson’s debut, Justin Field’s arrival, and Joe Burrow’s return are just the tip of the iceberg of storylines and intriguing subplots, and we’re looking at seven things to watch.
Inside look at NFL’s most competitive division
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 07: Justice Hill #43 of the Baltimore Ravens is hit by B.J. Hill #92 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 07, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
In 2023, the AFC North became the first to have all four teams finish with a winning record. We’ll be watching to see just how intense rivalry games are.
We’re Ravens distracted ahead of Eagles game?
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 01: Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at M&T Bank Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
The Baltimore Sun examined the behind-the-scenes aspect of this programming and dropped an interesting nugget about Eagles Week.
The process began in earnest in the week leading up to what ended up being a 24-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.
In all, there are about 14 people with boots on the ground every day in Owings Mills and at each of the sites for the other teams, with the size of the crews stretching into the 20s for divisional games. By the time an episode hits the air, roughly 150 people will have ultimately touched it in varying capacities, not that anyone on site would necessarily realize it.
“We work very hard to stay invisible,” Cossrow said. “Invariably, the teams gain a lot of respect because they see them when they got there and they’re still there when they leave.”
The math is also “a little bit scary,” he added, when it comes to how much film is required to fill out each episode — about 200 to 300 hours per hour of “Hard Knocks” — and the turnaround is extremely tight at roughly 48 hours.
Who will take Marshawn Lynch approach
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 01: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Most teams appear on Hard Knocks to avoid getting fined. After the Joe Schoen debacle with the Giants’ handling of Saquon Barkley on national television, we’ll watch to see which team is the most private with information and revealing organizational secrets.
Superstar lineup
Oct 8, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) has a pass blocked by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
The cast is a who’s who of MVP candidates, star running backs, diva wide receivers, and defensive standouts. It’ll be about Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and others for Baltimore. The Bengals will feature Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. Pittsburgh provides the backdrop of the quarterback relationship between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, the mercurial George Pickens, and a defense led by T.J. Watt. All eyes and ears in Cleveland will focus on Jameis Winston and Myles Garrett, with Deshaun Watson away from the team.
Head coaching royalty
Oct 27, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski shakes hands with managing and principal partner Jimmy Haslam before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
Kevin Stefanski and Zac Taylor are quality human beings, but all eyes will be on John Harbaugh in Baltimore and the loveable Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh. Which of the four head coaches will come out looking like a star?
Whose culture is the best?
Sep 15, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta walks across the the field before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
It’s the most competitive division in the NFL, and even though the Ravens and Steelers have been the most consistent teams in the division, Cincinnati is the most recent team to reach a Super Bowl. Pittsburgh is the NFL’s model of consistency, with Baltimore not far behind. The Browns and Bengals leave a lot to be desired in regards to their front office approach.
Ravens-Steelers
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 17: Patrick Queen #6 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after recovering of fumble in the second quarter of a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium on November 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
All of the matchups are intense, but Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh offers the most vitriol and this version of the rivalry had Patrick Queen switching sides. We’ll be watching to see how Queen is enjoying life in the Steel City.
