HBO cameras were with the Bengals as they watched playoff hopes end Sunday
HBO’s decision to focus its “Hard Knocks” show on the entire AFC North paid off handsomely for the network.
There was drama through the end of the season as the Ravens rallied to win the division ahead of the Steelers. And the Bengals made a late push for a playoff spot.
The latest episode of “Hard Knocks” on Tuesday featured the Week 18 games that held the Bengals’ fate.
Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor addressed the team after the Bengals’ 19-17 win at Pittsburgh, and HBO’s cameras were there.
“I know you guys appreciate how hard it is to win on the road, in the AFC North, in prime time, winning five in a row in December, January,” Taylor told the team last Saturday. “And all you guys did was dig deep, lean into each other and put yourself in a position, man, to sit on your couch tomorrow watch some football, cheer like a fan and pray to God we get into this thing.
“OK, listen, I’m just gonna be talking positives right now. Watch those 4:30 games tomorrow, OK? And we’ll get you the schedule for what it’s gonna look like on Tuesday. OK, that’s all you need to know right now.”
The video cut to the show’s narrator who said: “The Bengals have done all they can but it’s not enough. Fate must lend a hand for Cincinnati to make the playoffs.”
Yes, the Bengals needed the Jets to beat the Dolphins and the Chiefs down the Broncos. The latter didn’t happen as Denver won 38-0, ending the Bengals’ playoff hopes.
Taylor was watching “Red Zone” in his office while planning for a playoff game against the Bills. Meanwhile a group of Bengals players gathered together.
Even after Denver jumped to an early lead, receiver Andrei Iosivas believed the Chiefs could keep things close.
They didn’t. And Cincinnati’s season officially ended.
X user Clay Wendler shared a clip from “Hard Knocks” and added a cheeky “How about those Chiefs!” soundbite at the end.
This story was originally published January 9, 2025 at 10:22 AM.
