Category: HBO Hard Knocks

HBO Hard Knocks is the last thing Ravens HC John Harbaugh needs

Baltimore Ravens HC John Harbaugh might not benefit from having NFL Films HBO Hardknocks in close proximity.

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is leading an AFC North team that is playing far below its potential in 2024. With NFL Films in close proximity to record the team for HBO Hardknocks, Harbaugh’s documented shortcomings might make for an interesting spectacle. 



In week 13, the Ravens were defeated 24-19 by the Philadelphia Eagles, and the loss came in cinematic fashion. Quarterback Lamar Jackson missed a few open pass targets, and kicker Justin Tucker missed two crucial field goals.

However, Philadelphia Eagles nickel-back Cooper DeJean did not miss when he blasted running back Derrick Henry in the fourth quarter.

Harbaugh is still always unbothered, comes up short, and gives fans the most empty rebuttals and explanations. NFL Films may have positioned themselves to make a masterpiece of the Ravens’ season, especially with the teams’ pending rematches with the Cleveland Browns on Jan. 5 and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 21. 

The Ravens have lost to both the Browns and Steelers this season, but an opportunity to play them at home down the stretch might give them some momentum and favor.

Harbaugh needs to be the hero in 2024. The Steelers are pulling away with the division, and fans have rekindled angst from Harbaugh’s shortcomings in the most recent AFC Championship.

How to watch HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ In-Season with the AFC North

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

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.

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 intense.

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. Intriguing subplots, including Patrick Queen in Pittsburgh, are things to watch. 

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WATCH: First look at HBO’s Hard Knocks In-Season with the AFC North

HBO released the initial trailer for Hard Knocks In-Season with the AFC North featuring the Ravens, Bengals, Browns and Steelers

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.

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, as well as 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.

It will debut 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 on Tuesday, 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 interesting subplots.

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Nelson Agholor or Devontez Walker: Who will be WR No. 3 on the Ravens Depth Chart?

Baltimore Ravens WR Nelson Angholor and rookie WR Devontez Walker should create a healthy dilemma as far as the depth chart goes.

The Baltimore Ravens signed Nelson Agholor to a one-year $3.25 million deal this off-season but the emergence of rookie wide receiver Devontez Walker should create a healthy dilemma as far as the depth chart goes.

Agholor’s four touchdowns last season was impressive. He possesses the physicality to defy the usually undersized slot cornerbacks in the NFL. The problem is however, so does Walker.

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Walker also runs a faster 40-yard dash time of 4.36 seconds and stands six-foot two-inches making him slightly taller than Agholor as well. With opponents likely to crowd the line of scrimmage due to the Ravens’ tendency to run the football, Walker could be a vertical threat in the slot at speeds slightly quicker than Agholor.

Contrary to popular belief, it is in fact the passing attack that may be most important for the Ravens in 2024. Opponents will likely focus in on slowing down Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry in the ground game so assuring that offensive coordinator Todd Monken deploys the best possible personnel on the field when the Ravens go to 3 WR sets is very important.

Will Agholor’s veteran savvy play-style grant him more reps or will Walker’s youth and athleticism help him solidify as No. 3, we will find out soon.

Here’s why the Ravens have a top 5 backfield in the NFL

The Ravens ranked No. 1 in rush yards per game last season. Their success may continue with Derrick Henry & Justice Hill.

The Baltimore Ravens ranked No. 1 in rush yards per game during the 2023-24 season so it’s logical to assume their success will continue with the signing of running back Derrick Henry.

Earlier this summer, Bleacher Report endorsed the Ravens’ rushing attack, giving accolades not only to Henry, but running back Justice Hill also.

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It’s hard enough for defenses to account for the scrambling ability of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Now, Jackson will finally be accompanied by a top running back (Henry) who can handle a volume of 23 plus carries per game. With 280 carries last season, no running back in the NFL had more rushing attempts than Henry in 2023.

Hill is expected to shine as the supporting cast to Henry but Hill’s 84 rush attempts last season rendered an impressive 4.6 yards per carry. Basically, the Ravens’ rushing attack has become a three-headed monster that will be nearly impossible to contain, especially if their play-action pass game is exceptional in 2024.

With training camp just weeks away, the Ravens’ running back room will prepare for endless hours of study with running back coach Willie Taggert who after two decades of coaching professionally, will enjoy the most talent he’s ever had.

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Flashback to the original HBO ‘Hard Knocks’ at Ravens training camp

With the Ravens back on the show, some football fans have been flashing back to that inaugural season.

Monday’s news cycle brought the exciting announcement that NFL Films and HBO’s Hard Knocks series will, for the first time, chronicle an entire NFL division. The AFC North was selected, and it will be covered during the reality series “In Season” portion.

This marks the Baltimore Ravens’ first appearance on the popular program since its inception in 2001.

The Ravens were coming off the franchise’s first Super Bowl win at the time.

Once again, the Ravens are making Hard Knocks history, as they become one of four teams to be in the first divisional edition, complementing their status as the series’ inaugural team selected. According to both NFL Films and HBO, the production was “the first sports-based reality series” in television history.

For the first twenty years of the series’ history, the focus was on the training camp portion of the season only. Then, in 2021, the Indianapolis Colts became the first team to participate in the in-season edition.

This year will mark the first time Hard Knocks has an offseason edition, with the New York Giants selected as the subject matter. With the Ravens back on the show, some football fans have been flashing back to that inaugural season.

The video below features arguably the most iconic clip from that first season: Tim Anderson bringing down the house with his hilarious lampoon of Shannon Sharpe at the rookie talent show.

Watching Sharpe’s reaction, as he loses his mind with laughter, makes the bit much funnier. In the same episode, Todd Heap did a spot-on impersonation of coach Brian Billick, which was pretty hilarious as well.

If you want to watch the first full episode of the entire series, it is embedded here below: