Ravens overcome short week to demolish Texans in latest ‘Hard Knocks’ episode

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 and Steelers both face short weeks

Neither the Ravens nor the Steelers had much time to dwell on their Week 16 matchup with both teams playing on Christmas just four days later.

Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward was clearly frustrated with his unit’s lackluster performance against the Ravens. He didn’t mince words when addressing his teammates during a meeting before their next game, repeatedly telling them to “attack.”

“Don’t just assume the s— is going to change,” said Heyward, “because that’s our problem: we’re not being accountable and learning from the s—. We gotta get this s— right together.”

Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken said that it’s “easy to get spoiled making the playoffs.” He made the playoffs just once in his previous eight NFL seasons; since coming to Baltimore, he’s gone back-to-back.

“My first year in Jacksonville, I thought this s— is easy,” said Monken. “We’ll just make it every year. I went and put an addition on the house, had all the extra playoff money, it was going to be great. Next year [fart noise] We went from 11-5 to 5-11. It can happen.”

Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr emphasized the importance of staying sharp mentally with such a quick turnaround to playing on Christmas.

“The team that’s going to be more locked in mentally the next three days is going to be the team that’s going to win Wednesday,” Orr said.

Mental focus is only one of the problems during a short week; physical fatigue is another.

Nnamdi Madubuike and Kyle Van Noy discussed how tired they were after the Steelers game.

“Just play through it,” said Madubuike, and both players did, pushing through the fatigue to record one sack apiece against the Texans.

Monken used the lack of rest as motivation for his offense, explaining that the NFL only schedules the best teams for so many primetime games late in the season: “It means you’re really good.”

John Harbaugh’s mantra for the week was BYOE: bring your own energy, effort, enthusiasm and execution.

“That leads to, wait for it, bring your own excellence,” Harbaugh said. “Let’s be all locked in for Christmas Day, having our best game of the year [and] make another statement.”

Best moments from Ravens’ Christmas Day victory

Former Ravens and Texans fullback Vonta Leach showed up in Houston as Santa Claus on Christmas Day, but only one of his former teams was able to unwrap a win. The Ravens dominated from start to finish with a Derrick Henry safety as their only blemish.

“Run that ball, man, let’s run that ball,” repeated Harbaugh shortly before kickoff. His offense obliged, racking up 251 yards on the ground including Henry’s franchise-record 16th touchdown of the season. Jackson also broke Michael Vick’s record for career rushing yards by a quarterback, earning congratulations from teammates and coaches on the sidelines.

Jackson was just as effective through the air. He pulled off another incredible scramble drill, buying time behind the line of scrimmage before finding Isaiah Likely in the end zone. Even though he’s coached Jackson for seven years, Harbaugh is still impressed by his quarterback’s abilities.

“It was one of those plays where I was like ‘run, run, oh, oh, great job [Lamar]’,” said Harbaugh on the sidelines.

The lopsided victory gave the Ravens a chance to rest their starters for much of the fourth quarter, a crucial advantage after their stretch of three games in 11 days.

Tomlin’s tidbits and other great quotes

Kyle Van Noy on the Ravens’ crowded late-season schedule: “Three games in 11 days, we gotta review that. It’s a lot harder to get ready for these games, especially after an intense game with the Steelers.”

John Harbaugh teasing Lamar Jackson: “Lamar will not be in the locker room for [halftime]. He will be outside watching Beyoncé, he said. That’s alright, if you don’t see Lamar, he’s outside watching the show.”

Mike Tomlin on the Steelers’ back-to-back losses: “It’s not good enough. I’m less concerned about control of the division and more concerned about the quality of our performance at this juncture.”

John Harbaugh waiting for Jackson and Henry in the locker room after the game: “Where’s Lamar? Where’s Lamar? If we don’t get on that plane in 40 minutes, we’re here ‘til five in the morning!”