Exclusive Access: HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ Chronicles AFC North Rivalries
HBO and NFL Films have announced “Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North,” set to premiere on December 3, 2024. This groundbreaking series will provide an all-access pass into one of the NFL’s most competitive divisions, featuring the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Traditionally, “Hard Knocks” has focused on individual teams during training camps. This season, however, the series expands its scope to cover an entire division during the critical final six weeks of the regular season, extending into the playoffs. Viewers can anticipate in-depth coverage of the fierce battle for the AFC North title, capturing the intensity and drama as teams vie for playoff positions.
The series will spotlight prominent figures such as quarterbacks Lamar Jackson (Ravens), Joe Burrow (Bengals), Deshaun Watson (Browns), and Russell Wilson (Steelers). Additionally, star players like Derrick Henry, Ja’Marr Chase, Myles Garrett, and T.J. Watt will feature prominently, offering fans an intimate look into their preparations and performances during this pivotal stretch of the season.
Keith Cossrow, NFL Films Vice President and Head of Content, emphasized the significance of this new approach: “Last season, the AFC North became the first division ever to have all four teams finish with a winning record, making it the perfect place to launch this new approach to ‘Hard Knocks.’ We thank the Bengals, Browns, Ravens, and Steelers for the opportunity to showcase some of the greatest rivalries in football and present the intensity of a playoff chase from all four corners of this incredibly competitive division.”
Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller, Co-Executive Vice Presidents of HBO Documentary and Family Programming, along with Bentley Weiner, Vice President of HBO Sports Documentaries, expressed their enthusiasm: “We are ecstatic to expand the ‘Hard Knocks’ universe with our partners at NFL Films to the always thrilling AFC North division race. In 2024, ‘Hard Knocks’ will feature the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, and the Chicago Bears. What a year it will be on HBO and Max for football fans everywhere.”
This season marks a return to the “Hard Knocks” spotlight for several teams. The Baltimore Ravens were the inaugural team featured in 2001, with the Cincinnati Bengals appearing in 2009 and 2013, and the Cleveland Browns in 2018. Notably, the Pittsburgh Steelers will make their debut appearance in the series, offering fans a unique glimpse into their operations.
The expansion of “Hard Knocks” doesn’t stop with the AFC North. Earlier announcements revealed plans to cover the NFL offseason with “Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants,” debuting on July 2, and the Chicago Bears during training camp in “Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears,” premiering on August 6. With these additions, “Hard Knocks” will now provide comprehensive coverage throughout the entire NFL season, from offseason activities to the playoffs.
As the December 3 premiere approaches, anticipation is building among football enthusiasts eager to gain unprecedented insight into the AFC North’s inner workings. “Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North” promises to deliver compelling narratives, behind-the-scenes access, and a front-row seat to the high-stakes world of professional football. Fans can tune in to HBO or stream the series on Max to follow the unfolding drama of the AFC North’s quest for supremacy.
