And then there is one.
HBO set out to chronicle the behind-the-scenes developments of four different teams at once this season with Hard Knocks: In Season With the AFC North, but only the Baltimore Ravens remained in the playoffs this past weekend.
Naturally, they took the level in Tuesday’s episode.
Listening to NFL enthusiasts actually knew the end, as Baltimore lost opposite Josh Allen and the Buffalo bill the AFC Divisional Circular Fit on Sunday. They narrowly missed a 27-25 loss largely explained through errors.
Microphone after Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson ? The large amount respects greatness. #Coupsdurs pic. twitter. com/i6hru2vvyp
This is what it is! Lamar already has a champion mentality. Always celebrate others until your moment is. Your time will arrive.
Fired up. Love the respect. They both deserved it. There’s always next year!
Great sportsmans ship by two awesome athletes. This is the way.
I don’t necessarily like crows as a whole. But Lamar has been an act of elegance. Good for other players and fans. I love this boy.
2 NFL players so far this year ?
The biggest mistake was Mark Andrews’ downfall on a two-point conversion that would have tied the game in the final two minutes and potentially forced overtime. Still, that wasn’t the only mistake, as Lamar Jackson lost a fumble and threw an interception, while Andrews also lost a fumble.
But Tuesday’s episode wasn’t only about the loss.
Baltimore also got to enjoy its Wild Card Round win over the rival Pittsburgh Steelers before the build up to the Divisional Round. That meant voting on the image that best encapsulated the win, and the team chose Isaiah Likely stiff-arming a Steelers defender to the ground.
0-0. Back to work. Thanks for watching #HardKnocks! pic.twitter.com/u0sFTbkmnj
He also gave HBO a herbal transition to Pittsburgh, where chief coach Mike Tomlin presented a season -ending speech focused on failure to motivate long -term success.
It was a brief twilight in the Steelers’ crusade before the Ravens’ return from the preseason. And that preparation included making the indoor practice facility as quiet as possible with enthusiasts and freezing air blowing in to better simulate situations in Buffalo.
About to see the Ravens lose spending on #Hardknocks. #Billsmafia #ravensflock
This episode of Hard Knocks is tricky to watch. It’s weird how guys can alter my mood.
I commend any Ravens fan watching Hard Knocks tonight. You are a stronger person than I am.
However, the centerpiece of the episode The War of the Quarter between Jackson and Allen. After all, those are the two leading contenders for MVP, and Sunday’s matchup represented a chance to succeed in the AFC championship matchup and win some other chance opposite the road than on the road to Patrick Mahomes.
Jackson demonstrated his leadership in practice and repeatedly said how fired up he was for the contest. He even pushed to practice in the cold so he could be better prepared.
Lamar driven to the cold.
The latest of the season ?? #hardknocks
End of hard knocks made me emotional lol
This episode of Hard Knocks amazing
Still, it wasn’t enough.
Buffalo forced the key turnovers and dropped Jackson’s overall record in the playoffs to 3-5. The losses are certainly not all his fault, but this one was all the more painful because it prevented an AFC Championship Game rematch against the Chiefs and chance to reach the Super Bowl.
Perhaps the ultimate surprising moment of the episode and the game itself is the sportsmanship between Allen and Jackson as they hugged after the game.
Unfortunately for Jackson, his next postgame hug will take place in the 2025 season.