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This week’s episode of Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North took fans through the final week of the regular season as some teams prepared for their last game before playoffs while others tried to secure a spot in the postseason.
The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers had a somewhat stress-free week having already secured a playoff spot, while the Cincinnati Bengals had to win and rely on external factors to sneak into the postseason.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns went into the final week of the regular season just hoping to end the year on a positive note having already been eliminated from the playoffs.
There was something at stake in Week 18 for Baltimore and Pittsburgh however, as an AFC North title was on the line. Ravens coach John Harbaugh got the episode started with a fiery speech to motivate his team.
It was a somewhat tense atmosphere for the Steelers as they looked to snap a three-game losing streak, but that didn’t stop head coach Mike Tomlin from making some jokes.
Cheryl 👩🏼💻🇺🇸 #GoDawgs @ShadowShook
Coach Tomlin to Darnell Washington: “that’s why I went to Athens to get your big ass” 😂😂 <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/HardKnocks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#HardKnocks</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/DGD?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#DGD</a>
In Cincinnati, the red-hot Bengals prepared for a cold environment against Pittsburgh. The Bengals ultimately did their part by beating the Steelers, but didn’t get the losses they needed from other teams to get to the playoffs. Still, it was a tremendous season for stars Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase.
NFL Films @NFLFilms
Dance if you’re a triple crown winner 😏<a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/HardKnocks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#HardKnocks</a> | <a href=”https://twitter.com/Real10jayy__?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@Real10jayy__</a> <a href=”https://t.co/KDnha9OC8v”>pic.twitter.com/KDnha9OC8v</a>
This week’s episode also showed a hilarious moment as Cleveland prepared to face the Ravens. The Browns got a kick out of seeing a photo of star Myles Garrett when he was 14.
Sports on Max @SportsonMax
💪💪💪<a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/MylesGarrett?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#MylesGarrett</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Browns?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Browns</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/HardKnocks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#HardKnocks</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#NFL</a> <a href=”https://t.co/eUb90lyvYU”>pic.twitter.com/eUb90lyvYU</a>
NFL Films @NFLFilms
Myles was really 14 in this picture 😮<a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/HardKnocks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#HardKnocks</a> | <a href=”https://twitter.com/Flash_Garrett?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@Flash_Garrett</a> <a href=”https://t.co/RYNl0AlU45″>pic.twitter.com/RYNl0AlU45</a>
It wasn’t much of a surprise to see the Ravens beat the Browns to secure an AFC North title, but the matchup gave fans a wholesome moment between Roger Rosengarten and Garrett.
The Bengals and Browns’ seasons are now over, but the Ravens and Steelers still have work to do. The two teams will face each other in this week’s wild-card round, which should make for an exciting episode of Hard Knocks.
