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The Baltimore Ravens’ 28-14 AFC Wild Card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers took centerstage during the latest edition of Hard Knocks: In Season With The AFC North on Tuesday.
Hard Knocks showcased both teams beforehand.
In Baltimore, ESPN legend Chris Berman paid a visit to a Ravens practice and showed respect to quarterback Lamar Jackson, specifically his ability to throw in the cold and wind. He also said that something special was happening in town.
In Pittsburgh, Hard Knocks captured Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin in a team meeting beforehand, using the analogy “trains on a track” to describe the physical one-on-one matchups that were about to take place. He showed images of Ravens and Steelers players on the same slides, repeating the “trains on a track” refrain time and again.
It didn’t go well for Pittsburgh.
sgoodl @sgoodl
Watching this week’s #HardKnocks. Just have to say, there is not a world in which I’d want to be “trains on a track” with Derrick Henry. 😂 #Steelers #Ravens
Mimi a journey of Synths and Sensibility @mimidancer
That train got derailed. #Hardknocks
The Ravens entered this game as big favorites, and the chalk came to fruition. Baltimore jumped out to a 21-0 halftime lead and kept Pittsburgh at arm’s length from there. The Ravens rushed for 299 combined yards, with Derrick Henry (181) leading the way alongside his two touchdowns.
Henry was a freight train, and he notably rolled for a 44-yard touchdown in the third quarter for a 27-7 edge. Some credit goes to Jackson as well.
Ravens SB Loading @__LibrasFinest
Hard Knocks showed why Lamar is the MVP. Mike Tomlin, one of the most respected defensive minds in football, kept saying in the mic, while down 14
“Don’t let him (LJ) get outside. Don’t let him get outside.”
3 Steelers focus on him & realize too late. Result-Henry 44yd House Call
Jackson threw for 175 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 81 yards.
One of those touchdowns—a five-yard toss to running back Justice Hill with two seconds left in the first half after evading the Pittsburgh defense—had Ravens head coach John Harbaugh saying “unbelievable” repeatedly.
Jackson, a two-time NFL MVP, clearly wants more though. One fan also complimented his leadership skills and voice.
Spencer Alexander @SpencerAlexan10
What you notice from more in depth coverage like Hard Knocks… Lamar has found his VOICE! He’s talked about before how he was a by example player and didn’t say much, but now he’s found that leadership trait and voice to truly command the offense and team. BEAUTIFUL TO SEE!!!
Overall, it was a good day for the Ravens and their fans, who enjoyed this episode.
Nevermore @MillenialRaven
#HardKnocks was pure cinema! Beating our arch rival until they looked like some sad cold dogs.. and it’s captured in all of it glory! I’ll be watching that episode forever! #RavensFlock #HereWeGo <— to Cancun
As for Pittsburgh, the Steelers lost their fifth straight game to close the season. Pittsburgh’s promising season began with a 10-3 mark and a two-game edge on the Ravens for the AFC North lead, but the Steelers closed the regular season 0-4 while Baltimore went 4-0 to finish 12-5. The two split the regular season series with the rubber match in Baltimore.
The Ravens now move onto Buffalo to play the AFC East champion Bills on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET. Baltimore beat Buffalo 35-10 at home on Sept. 29.
