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Ravens-Steelers rivalry takes center stage in fourth ‘Hard Knocks’ episode

December 28, 2024 by Baltimore Beatdown

Pittsburgh Steelers v Baltimore Ravens
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Top takeaways and tidbits from the fourth 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.

Harbaugh, Tomlin prepare for yet another battle

John Harbaugh kicked off the episode with an intense gym session, a stark contrast to his somewhat muted portrayal in the Hard Knocks’ debut. He then turned his attention to his team’s even more intense rivalry with the Steelers in a team meeting.

“We all know where we stand, we all know what we’re capable of, we all know what they are, we all know what we’re capable of doing against them,” Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said as the camera panned to a smiling Lamar Jackson.

Harbaugh recounted several past Ravens-Steelers matchups, including an overtime loss in his first game against Pittsburgh in 2008, Mike Tomlin’s infamous impediment on Jacoby Jones kickoff return on Thanksgiving 2013, and Terrell Suggs’ thigh-master interception in the 2014 Wild Card.

It’s clear that the two longest-tenured head coaches in the NFL have the utmost respect for each other after more than 35 matchups.

“He and they are really good dance partners because we share similar values, the same hyper focus on winning and dominating the North,” Tomlin said. “We’re so familiar with them, they’re so familiar with us.”

“When you see that team take the field, the team that Mike coaches, that he’s coached for all these years, you understand what you’re getting,” Harbaugh said.

“We’ve seen enough of ‘em,” continued Harbaugh. “It’s like playing your brother.” (That’s an especially ironic quote considering Harbaugh has literally played his brother in the NFL on three different occasions.)

Ravens-Steelers is chess, not checkers

Both Todd Monken and Zach Orr emphasized the importance of winning the turnover battle vs. Pittsburgh. That has been a defining feature of the Ravens’ 1-8 record against the Steelers since 2020 and may have been the impetus behind Harbaugh’s straightforward game plan in Week 16.

“I kinda like the plan,” he told Jackson. “Simple, sweet runs, basic checks…Just be calm, everybody relax, play ball.”

Tomlin charged T.J. Watt with disrupting Jackson’s rhythm, telling his All-Pro linebacker, “We can’t coexist, T.J. Your gold jacket agenda and his gold jacket agenda can’t exist in the North like this.” (Tomlin used the ‘coexist’ theme to motivate Patrick Queen, too.)

The Ravens had a plan of their own for Watt, too. Wide receivers coach Greg Lewis told his players to “knock the s— out of 90” when chipping the dangerous edge rusher.

Other strategic notes included Russell Wilson’s boom-or-bust passing profile, Mark Andrews’ success in the red zone, and Derrick Henry’s dangerous rushing ability.

Top takeaways from a long-awaited win

At the onset of the game, Harbaugh told Monken, Jackson and general manager Eric DeCosta the same thing: “I am all high fives and smiles today.”

Harbaugh predicted a fumble right before Ar’Darius Washington blew up Russell Wilson short of the goal line in the second quarter.

Flowers danced in front of Queen after Rashod Bateman’s touchdown capped off a 96-yard touchdown to the lead.

Harbaugh exclaimed “He’s back!” after Justin Tucker drilled a 51-yard field goal down the middle.

Marlon Humphrey had the closing words that best encapsulates the win for the Ravens. “What we just did, we were supposed to do,” Humphrey said. “It’s simple. We came in here and took care of business. Let’s keep doing that, get ready for this recovery, enjoy this for a little bit and then let’s move on, keep doing what we do. I love being on this team because we take care of business when business needs to be taken care of.”

Jameis Winston handles benching like a pro

Cleveland Browns turned to second-year pro Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback with the hope of providing a spark for the last few games. Jameis Winston accepted getting benched like a true vet with humility and grace.

“What’s important is us finishing the season strong, me getting behind Dorian and encouraging him to take advantage of this opportunity,” Winston said.

Winston gave Thompson-Robinson a detailed breakdown of how he goes about studying, dissecting and preparing to face an opposing defense each week.

“The Lord has blessed you with speed and athleticism but he has also blessed you with a brain,” Winston said. “Trust your eyes to make this throw.”

Tomlin’s tidbits and other great quotes

Jerry Jeudy on the Browns’ gift exchange: “I wonder who got me for Secret Santa. I better not get no bulls— either.”

Tee Higgins on holiday spending: “I’m in debt ‘cause of Christmas. I turned from being the kid that used to watch Polar Express to being Santa Clause. I’m f— Santa Clause now. I’m the Black Santa Clause, though.”

Mike Tomlin preparing his team for the Ravens: “Let’s sweat in training so we do not bleed in battle. Prepare to be a part of history.”

Patrick Queen on his second matchup with his former team: “Competition at the highest level and I feel like that’s going to bring the best out of me and I can’t wait to go against them.”

Tomlin on Haloti Ngata, who was in attendance for the game: “I’m glad he ain’t playing today. Haloti is as scary of a Raven as there’s ever been.”

Filed Under: Ravens

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