It was clear this year's Hard Knocks: In Season series would be different from past ones from the opening moments.

HBO's first episode of Hard Knocks: In Season With the AFC North aired Tuesday. It was a first episode in more ways than more, as it is the first time in the show's history it will chronicle an entire division at the same time.

Hard Knocks will track the race for the AFC North title during the final six weeks of the 2024 campaign, and that battle for the playoffs starts with the preparation.

It was fitting, then, that the opening scene showed a montage of all four coaches in the division—Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers, John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens, Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns and Zac Taylor of the Cincinnati Bengals—stressing mantras to their respective teams.

Those points included focusing on one game at a time and playing with the proper physicality it takes to thrive in a division that prides itself on toughness and a long, storied history of rivalries.

And one of those rivalries was under the spotlight throughout the episode, as the Bengals and Steelers faced each other Sunday. It was clear Pittsburgh was taking the challenge of facing Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and the Cincinnati offense seriously even though the Bengals entered the game with a 4-7 record.

It wouldn't be Hard Knocks without some light-hearted moments as well while those teams were preparing, and that included Burrow telling Chase and Tee Higgins that he bought one of the Batmobiles that were for sale.

Naturally, that led to plenty of jokes between teammates:

Other amusing moments included Steelers teammates Breiden Fehoko and Cam Heyward arguing over which is better between sweet potato pie and pumpkin pie and Browns quarterback Jameis Winston giving the team's grounds crew love for taking care of the field during the snow game victory over Pittsburgh.

Thanksgiving also took center stage, as the teams gave back to their communities and enjoyed the holiday. HBO also provided fans with a behind-the-scenes look at Thanksgiving in the Heyward household with Steelers teammates and brothers, Cam and Connor.

Eventually, attention turned to the games, including the showdown between the Bengals and Steelers.

All that preparation Tomlin preached paid off, as Pittsburgh left Cincinnati with a 44-38 victory. Russell Wilson was unstoppable with 414 passing yards and three touchdowns, while Burrow fell just short with 309 passing yards and three touchdowns.

Burrow has to be nearly perfect every week given Cincinnati's defensive issues, and he wasn't with an interception and two lost fumbles.

The Bengals weren't the only team in the division that had a forgettable Week 13, as the Ravens lost to the Philadelphia Eagles and the Browns lost to the Denver Broncos. Perhaps future weeks will be kinder to the AFC North from top-to-bottom, but the Steelers are sitting on top for now.