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The fourth episode of Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North aired on Tuesday, and it’s clear what the main event was this week.
Last Saturday, the Baltimore Ravens hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers in a pivotal AFC North matchup. A Steelers win would give them the division, while a Ravens victory would create a tie atop the North with two weeks remaining.
This week’s episode showed the two teams preparing for the huge battle.
mayra @myra7
It’s interesting to see how these teams prepare for on another. Loving the side by sides. #HardKnocks
The Ravens’ meetings took note of Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson’s tendencies, with Baltimore defensive football analyst Noah Riley saying that he throws “three-pointers and layups,” eschewing the mid-range and intermediate tosses.
But fans took note of Ravens head coach John Harbaugh getting in a key workout beforehand.
Soldier Of God @sports_god1
Harbs in the Gym Slinging the Plates around for Steelers week!! Got me Hyped #HARDKNOCKS #RAVENS Harbs ready to roll!!
Once gameday hit, the Ravens took control, winning 34-17 behind running back Derrick Henry’s 189 total yards, wide receiver Zay Flowers’ 100 receiving yards and three Lamar Jackson touchdown passes. On defense, Marlon Humphrey’s pick-six of Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson put Baltimore up 30-17 early in the fourth quarter.
Cameras were on Flowers during this one.
In the bottom half of the division, the Cincinnati Bengals were trying to hold on to their slim playoff hopes with a home win over the Cleveland Browns. A win would do just that, and they got it done, 24-6.
However, the holidays are on players’ minds as well, and Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins joked about how he’s in debt now because of Christmas.
Higgins is playing on a $21.8 million franchise tag this season, so he has some extra cash to be “Santa Claus,” as he called himself. However, he’s understandably also looking for a long-term deal and should likely get a lucrative and well-deserved one, whether that’s in Cincinnati or elsewhere.
As for why? Check out his recent performances, which include seven touchdowns in his last eight games. He scored another on Sunday alongside eight catches and 58 yards.
Ultimately, fans loved this episode covering a hotly contested division.
Episode five airs on Tuesday at 9 p.m. and streams on Max. It’ll feature the Ravens’ and Steelers’ Christmas Day games at the Houston Texans and versus the Kansas City Chiefs, respectively.
Elsewhere, the Bengals look to remain in contention for another week with a must-win game at home versus the Denver Broncos on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, the Browns will continue playing out their season versus the Miami Dolphins.
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