Steelers, AFC North HBO 'Hard Knocks' 2024: Best Fan Tweets, Memes from Episode 2
December 11, 2024
The AFC North edition of this year's Hard Knocks: In Season continued with its second episode on Tuesday evening.
This week featured the run-up to the Cleveland Browns' road matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, as well as the Cincinnati Bengals' Monday Night Football game at the Dallas Cowboys. The Baltimore Ravens got the week off.
In Cleveland, quarterback Jameis Winston is the star of the show for reasons on and off the field.
On the field, he's led Cleveland to a pair of upset wins over the Ravens and Steelers since taking over for an injured Deshaun Watson as QB1.
Off the field, Winston's energetic and gregarious personality has certainly attracted his fair share of fans.
Fans got a glimpse of Winston off the field Tuesday as he came home to his family.
People loved seeing Winston on this week's episode, even Steelers fans.
Issac @IssacIncognitoMan.. hard knocks is just making me love Jameis Winston more than I already do. The browns really don't deserve him. I hope he lands somewhere he can succeed next year. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HardKnocks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HardKnocks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Steelers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Steelers</a>
Danny Archer @mastodonkeyI bleed black and gold, but Jameis Winston seems to have grown up and become a genuinely good dude. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HardKnocks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HardKnocks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HereWeGo?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HereWeGo</a>
Speaking of the Steelers, we saw star cornerback Joey Porter Jr. hang out with his father, ex-Steelers star linebacker Joey Porter.
NFL Films @NFLFilmsWhen dad starts bringing up "back in my day" π€£<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HardKnocks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HardKnocks</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeyPorterJr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoeyPorterJr</a> <a href="https://t.co/AIyteltxh0">pic.twitter.com/AIyteltxh0</a>
We saw the senior Porter speak about the intensity of the AFC North, to the point where he said he doesn't even go out to eat in Cincinnati, Baltimore or Cleveland. And his wife, Christy Porter, talked about her experience with Browns fans.
Of course, some Steelers fans loved seeing the elder Porter on screen.
We also saw Porter get some key advice from head coach Mike Tomlin, who clearly admires and respects the defensive stalwart.
Porter was trying to bounce back in practice after committing six penalties in a 44-38 win over the Bengals on Dec. 1, in particular working with position coach Grady Brown.
In essence, Tomlin preached to Porter that he should be patient on his road to being a great player.
NFL @NFLEveryone needs to hear <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachTomlin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachTomlin</a>'s advice to <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeyPorterJr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoeyPorterJr</a> π―<br><br>New episode of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HardKnocks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HardKnocks</a> In Season with the AFC North airs tonight at 9pm ET on <a href="https://twitter.com/StreamOnMax?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@streamonmax</a> <a href="https://t.co/TPiQ3TWaNR">pic.twitter.com/TPiQ3TWaNR</a>
Porter had six tackles and zero penalties en route to a 27-14 home win.
In Cincinnati, wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase called his shot for a young fan conquering cancer named Brixton, who visited the team's practice leading up to the Cowboys game. As discussed on the MNF broadcast, the two have a strong rapport.
Chase told Brixton that he was going to do a new Griddy touchdown celebration (which he practiced with teammate Tee Higgins) in his honor.
NFL @NFL"When I do the Griddy tomorrow, it's for you."<br><br>Ja'Marr Chase practiced a new Griddy and dedicated his TD celebration to a young <a href="https://twitter.com/Bengals?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Bengals</a> fan battling cancer π§‘<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HardKnocks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HardKnocks</a> <a href="https://t.co/uRoyiPR96C">pic.twitter.com/uRoyiPR96C</a>
Sure enough, Chase ended up with 14 catches for 177 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-20 win. He got the first score for Brixton out of the way with 2:45 left in the first quarter:
Cincinnati Bengals @Bengalsπππ<a href="https://twitter.com/JoeyB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoeyB</a> β‘οΈ <a href="https://twitter.com/Real10jayy__?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Real10jayy__</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CINvsDAL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CINvsDAL</a> on ESPN/Disney+ <a href="https://t.co/XUrXQS0mIx">pic.twitter.com/XUrXQS0mIx</a>
Fans obviously loved to see Chase and Brixton here.
Cameron Demler @CJD22K'Hard Knocks' Episode 2:<br>1) Man, this series continues to paint Mike Tomlin in a positive light, and it's really hard for me not to like him as a Bengals fan. <br><br>2) Ja'Marr Chase-Brixton Wood story = π§‘π€<br><br>3) Zac's reaction to missed facemask call and blocked punt is awesome.
Next Tuesday will be the third episode of the six-part series. It will air on HBO and stream on Max at 9 p.m. ET.
It will cover the before, during and after of Week 15 games.
Cleveland has a tough one at home against the 12-1 Chiefs, who are looking for the first-ever Super Bowl three-peat. The Bengals look to keep their slight playoff hopes alive at the Tennessee Titans. The Ravens visit a 2-11 Giants team that's lost eight straight. And the Steelers will travel across Pennsylvania to visit the 11-2 Philadelphia Eagles in a potential Super Bowl preview.
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