HBO’s Hard Knocks: 10 Seasons Ranked By Team’s Final Record & Finish

HBO’s Hard Knocks gives fans an all-access glimpse into the logistics of an NFL preseason. These are the 10 seasons ranked by final record & finish.

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Being America’s most popular sports league, the NFL has no shortage of content beyond the games themselves. HBO’s Hard Knocks showcases the grind of NFL training camp and preseason by combining the drama of reality television with the nonfictional narrative of the documentary medium. The combination of multiple personalities, on and off-field situations, and behind-the-scenes looks gives an entertaining perspective on the preparation for an NFL season.

Ending the NFL campaign with a better record than before can come down to how the team prepares before the season begins. As one of the elite sports shows in history, Hard Knocks doesn’t hold back when it comes to highlighting the trials and tribulations of teams and their players and how great starts don’t always guarantee great finishes and vice versa.

10 Oakland Raiders (2019): 7-9

In their final season in Oakland before moving to Las Vegas, the Raiders probably had the most interesting saga from a superstar player during a season of Hard Knocks. Not to be overshadowed by the backup QB competition and the electric coaching staff, Antonio Brown made this season of the show worthwhile.

After forcing his way out of Pittsburgh (and Oakland by preseason’s end), Brown brought his antics with him and they were on full display during training camp. Whether it be not practicing because he needs a specific helmet or developing frostbite in his feet from a cryotherapy session, AB gave fans tons to discuss during his tenure. The Raiders went a subpar 7-9 in their final season in the Bay Area.

9 Miami Dolphins (2012): 7-9

The training camp of South Beach’s own showed no shortage of dramatic instances, facing pressure to turn the team around after recent mediocre campaigns. Watching both veterans and young players held accountable for their actions set the tone for what the team wanted to display for the show and as they prepared for the season.

Multiple episodes had a handful of players seen called into Coach Philbin’s office with not-so-good news on the other side of their pending conversation. Most notably, Vontae Davis and Chad Ochocinco, who were traded and cut after mental mistakes during camp and an arrest, respectively. After showcasing a pitiful preseason performance on the show, the Dolphins churned out a 7-9 record.

8 Cleveland Browns (2018): 7-8-1

Hard Knocks decided to feature one of the most dysfunctional franchises in sports and it made for entertaining reality TV. As head coach, Hue Jackson fought to keep his job after winning one game in two seasons, and the multiple personalities throughout the Browns locker room gave the impression that the team could turn it around.

This season dives into the Browns quarterback battle between a rookie, Baker Mayfield, and veteran, Tyrod Taylor, while fan favorites from this season, like Devon Cajuste and Pro Bowler Jarvis Landry, grounded the show in their own ways. Cajuste was unfortunately cut during the final episode, but Cleveland improved a lot compared to the last season, ending the year at 7-8-1.

7 Dallas Cowboys (2008): 9-7

2008 was the Cowboys’ second appearance on Hard Knocks and this time around, the roster featured some of the more polarizing figures in recent NFL history. The squad brought in some of the show’s highest ratings at the time, thanks to coming off one of the best regular seasons in team history.

Terrell Owens made his case for reality stardom with his team bonding escapades and his battles with Adam Jones during training camp. Quarterback Tony Romo brought a lot to the show in his own right, including a glimpse into his life alongside his girlfriend at the time, Jessica Simpson. The team had Super Bowl expectations, but fell short and missed the playoffs entirely with a 9-7 record.

6 Houston Texans (2015): 9-7

The youngest franchise in the NFL got their chance to shine during Hard Knocks’ tenth season and they didn’t disappoint, featuring solid young players on both sides of the ball, a second-year head coach, and the motivational story of David Quessenberry’s battle with cancer.

Star wideout DeAndre Hopkins gave perhaps the most iconic moment in series history during a heated joint practice with Washington that fully encapsulates the spirit of the show. Viewers witnessed a one-on-one matchup between Hopkins and Washington’s DeAngelo Hall, where Hopkins juked Hall so hard that he needed to recover from injury afterward. Houston cumulated a 9-7 record and won their third division title in five seasons.

5 Cincinatti Bengals (2009): 10-6

Being one of the most critically acclaimed seasons of the show, the 2009 Bengals offered a range of interesting subjects after going 4-11 the season prior. Growing pains of young players, a contract hold out from their top draft pick, and most notably the adventures of Bengals legend and reality TV star, Chad Ochocinco.

Ochocinco gave a quotable phrase seemingly every episode, along with detailing his infamous McDonald’s-based diet as he maintained his position as one of the best receivers in the league. This roster also featured linebacker Dahani Jones, who showcased his reality TV chops by starring in his show on the Travel Channel, Dahani Tackles The World, earlier that same year. The team’s chemistry throughout their time on the show played a part in their success that year, finishing the season 10-6.

4 Los Angeles Rams (2020): 10-6

The 2020 Rams were featured alongside the LA Chargers in this season of Hard Knocks, which was heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the first season to not feature preseason games and showcased the toll that the pandemic took on the NFL. The Rams, however, looked to build on the success they’d developed since moving back to LA from St. Louis in 2016.

In the midst of coaching from home, contract talks, and opening a dialogue on police brutality, the Rams (along with the Chargers) looked forward to playing in their new stadium for the first time without fans. Despite the adversity, the Rams finished 10-6 in the regular season and made it to the divisional round of the playoffs.

3 Baltimore Ravens (2001): 10-6

The first season of Hard Knocks gave viewers an inside look at the defending Super Bowl champions at the time. As the only teams featured on the show coming off a championship run, this roster not only showcased the leadership needed for success but had one of the best examples of team chemistry.

Led by Super Bowl MVP Ray Lewis, the team dealt with key injuries while their young rookies adjusted from college life to the NFL. The iconic moment from this season came during the rookie talent show with Tim Johnson doing an impersonation of Shannon Sharpe that got the entire team roaring with laughter. The team responded to their preseason woes with a season-ending 10-6 record before falling in the divisional round of the playoffs.

2 Cincinnati Bengals (2013): 11-5

The new era of Bengals football was looking promising as the team looked to change their playoff fortune going into the team’s second appearance on the show. The competition and storylines of training camp this preseason seemed to be the recipe for a successful year.

Quarterback-receiver duo Andy Dalton and AJ Green set the tone for the 2013 Bengals, leading by example as two young stars. Viewers were also treated to the sight of longtime division rival James Harrison donning the tiger stripes where he made it known that he wasn’t a fan of the HBO camera crew around training camp. Despite their playoff woes continuing following the regular season, the Bengals pulled off a great record at 11-5.

1 New York Jets (2010): 11-5

The Jets’ appearance on Hard Knocks was following a surprise playoff run where they were one game away from making their first Super Bowl appearance in over 40 years. Looking to build on the momentum, the team was led by animated coach Rex Ryan, who provided eccentric sound bites to the amusement of players and viewers alike.

An outspoken coaching style from Ryan aided by a mixture of veteran leadership and young players fueled the Jets for their upcoming season. This season, perhaps more than others, showcased the importance of depth on a roster by highlighting scrappy, undrafted players like Danny Woodhead who fought for a roster spot despite being on the team seasons prior. The team finished with an improved 11-5, but again fell one game short of the Super Bowl.

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