Top takeaways and tidbits from the seventh episode of the iconic HBO sports docuseries.
The latest edition of HBO’s Hard Knocks docuseries follows the AFC North during the 2024 regular season. Each week, Baltimore Beatdown will be breaking down the biggest moments and best quotes of every episode.
Ravens stay locked in on ultimate goal
Derrick Henry opened the episode with a simple question to his team: “Do you want to win the Super Bowl, or do you want to go home?”
That pursuit of a Super Bowl was echoed throughout the week in Baltimore. John Harbaugh continued to emphasize a one-game approach in meetings and practices, while players frequently discussed the importance of staying locked in.
“You practicing good, you locked in,” said Kyle Van Noy to Nnamdi Madubuike. “You actually want to do something in this game.”
“Actions speak louder than words,” responded Madubuike. He went on to sack Russell Wilson twice in Saturday’s Wild Card matchup with the Steelers. His second forced the Steelers to punt after touchdowns on their first two possessions of the second half.
Van Noy maintained his own focus throughout the week. He laughed when podcast co-host Gerald McCoy wore dollar-sign sunglasses on their show to celebrate Van Noy hitting his contract incentives in Week 18, but he was back to business as soon as the episode was over.
“One step closer to the game,” he said.
Tomlin’s leans into familiarity, emotion in game prep
Mike Tomlin opted for a different approach in his game preparation, emphasizing his team’s familiarity with their opponent and leaning into to emotion of the matchup.
In attempt to connect with his younger players, he played TV highlights of their season during a team meeting, focusing on their last two wins over the Ravens. Tomlin also took his team to practice at Acrisure Stadium to better simulate a game day atmosphere.
On a strategic level, the Steelers devoted their attention to slowing down Derrick Henry.
“We will be absorbing more schematic risk to attack the run,” read one of Tomlin’s presentation slides, while defensive coordinator Teryl Austin told his players, “Go get the big runner…Make sure he doesn’t have a great game.”
That coaching didn’t show up in the game, as the Ravens steamrolled their way to 299 rushing yards behind a monster performance by Henry.
Wild Card highlights spoke for themselves
Hard Knocks mostly let the game’s highlights speak for themselves, with additional commentary from the huddle and the sidelines providing a glimpse into the mental matchup.
For example, the Steelers were clearly exhausted by the Ravens’ 13-play (all runs) touchdown drive that ate up almost half of the second quarter.
“We gotta punch the ball loose,” said Cam Heyward through heavy breaths during the drive. “We gotta get off.”
Lamar Jackson was prepared, warning his teammates to “hold the ball…because all they’re going to do is try to get the ball off us.”
Tomlin also told his defense to “watch 43” seconds before Justice Hill’s touchdown just before the half on yet another unbelievable play by Jackson. Harbaugh (and the announcers) were calling for Jackson to throw the ball away; instead, he evaded the entire pass rush and managed to find a wide-open Hill to take a 21-0 lead at halftime.
“I’ve never seen anything like that,” said Harbaugh.
Ravens punch in, close out, and move on to Divisional Round
The Ravens’ leaders kept the team locked in throughout the game, including key quotes from Jackson (“It’s 0-0” at halftime, “Let’s punch in” after the Steelers scored) and Roquan Smith (“I need you, flush it” to Brandon Stephens after he gave up a touchdown).
The rest of the team obliged, setting up a postgame victory celebration in the locker room. But the focus stayed on the Ravens’ Super Bowl ambitions.
Henry bookended the week with more words of motivation: “Practice execution becomes game reality. I feel like we do that every week. Believe.”
“One down, three to go,” said Jackson, “I’m hungry.” He knows that Saturday was a big win, but the best is yet to come.