Steelers, AFC North HBO ‘Hard Knocks’ 2024: Best Fan Tweets, Memes from Episode 5
Andrew PetersJanuary 1, 2025
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The fifth episode of Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North aired on Tuesday as the end of the regular season nears an end.
This week, the Pittsburgh Steelers had a critical Christmas Day matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs while the Baltimore Ravens had a meeting with the Houston Texans. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals squared off with the Denver Broncos as they tried to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Not only did the Steelers and Ravens have big games to prepare for, but they didn’t have much time to do it. By nature of playing on Christmas, a Wednesday, Baltimore and Pittsburgh had just three days between games after playing the previous Saturday.
The episode showed the two squads dealing with the quick turnaround time.
NFL Films @NFLFilmsEven a King needs his reps 👑#HardKnocks | @KingHenry_2 pic.twitter.com/wbcDs4LVID
Preparation was especially difficult for the Steelers as they had to gameplan for one of the most creative players in the league in Patrick Mahomes.
In between getting ready for games, teams had the chance to partake in Christmas activities like giving gifts to each other and to fans.
NFL Films @NFLFilmsA new way to protect the quarterback just dropped 🔥😂#HardKnocks pic.twitter.com/xx2uNQGa8u
Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston was feeling festive when he wore his pajamas to the office.
NFL Films @NFLFilmsDads 2 hours into Christmas morning 🎁#HardKnocks pic.twitter.com/Olu4lQBWO3
It was a special day for the Watt brothers as J.J. Watt was on the broadcast for his brother, T.J. Watt’s game. This week’s episode gave fans a look at the production meeting with J.J. and T.J. before the Steelers’ game against the Chiefs.
NFL Films @NFLFilmsBeing with family on Christmas 🫂#HardKnocks pic.twitter.com/MpIJiQxtgx
There was nothing fun about the Steelers’ Christmas Day matchup, however, as the Chiefs rolled past Pittsburgh 29-10.
The Steelers’ loss helped Baltimore get closer to clinching the division, and the Ravens made the most of it. They were dominant on both sides of the ball against the Texans, winning 31-2 to make it three straight wins.
NFL Films @NFLFilmsJumping into the new year like 🤣#HardKnocks pic.twitter.com/PQ5ijlLkxu
mayra @myra7Them saying the Texans are on pushovers and they were literally pushed over by the Ravens. #HardKnocks
Amid the Ravens’ dominant win, Lamar Jackson broke the record for the most career rushing yards by a quarterback. This week’s episode caught the moment Jackson found out and a fun interaction with fans.
NFL @NFLLamar is part of the BeyHive 🐝#HardKnocks on @StreamonMax pic.twitter.com/A9kteLY5AL
Ahmad Subhani @Ahmadsubhani_11QUEEN BEY’S GOT A NEW SOLDIER! Lamar repping the BeyHive proudly! Who run the world? #BeyHive #LamarJackson #HardKnocks #CountdownCTW2025 #Zelena https://t.co/4nVOUS0mmt
The Bengals managed to keep their playoff hopes alive with an overtime win over the Broncos, and Joe Burrow was feeling himself after the victory.
NFL Films @NFLFilmsJa’Marr has taught him well 👨🏫#HardKnocks | @JoeyB pic.twitter.com/RZ3dINaENJ
NFL Films @NFLFilmsIcy in OT 🥶#HardKnocks | @Bengals pic.twitter.com/tK1wTvRYq1
Overall, fans were pleased with another exciting episode covering an intense AFC North.
meg ☃️ @treaburnertonights hard knocks episode was so cute i almost shed tears. im gonna miss the bengals so much
Mimi a journey of Synths and Sensibility @mimidancerI love watching the steelers lose again. Thanks, Hard Knocks.
Jungle Rat @JungleRat55That entire Welcome to the jungle intro on Hard Knocks was awesome.
nya @sediciferrariwatching the hard knocks episode joes reaction to denver tying in the 4th made me giggle
Next week’s Hard Knocks will air at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday and should have plenty of good moments with the AFC North division title on the line.
