The fifth episode of 'Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North' aired on Tuesday, coinciding with the concluding stages of the NFL regular season. This week, critical matchups loomed for several teams, including a significant Christmas Day game for the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Kansas City Chiefs, while the Baltimore Ravens prepared to face the Houston Texans. Additionally, the Cincinnati Bengals aimed to maintain their playoff aspirations in their game against the Denver Broncos.

The scheduling of Christmas games presented unique challenges for both the Steelers and Ravens, as they had only three days to prepare following their matchup the previous Saturday. The episode highlighted the teams' efforts to adapt to the rapid turnaround, illustrating the intensity and focus required during this pivotal time in the season. Pittsburgh's game plan was particularly complex as they had to strategize against Patrick Mahomes, a player renowned for his creativity and game-changing abilities.

Amidst their preparations, teams took time to engage in festive activities, such as exchanging gifts with one another and their fans. Notable moments included Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston showing his holiday spirit by arriving at the facilities in pajamas. The episode also featured a special appearance from J.J. Watt, who joined the broadcast team to cover his brother T.J. Watt's performance during the Steelers' game. Unfortunately, the day did not go well for Pittsburgh, as they suffered a 29-10 defeat to the Chiefs, allowing the Ravens to inch closer to clinching the division title with their own impressive 31-2 victory over the Texans. Notably, Lamar Jackson set a new record for career rushing yards by a quarterback, a moment captured in the episode as he interacted with fans following the game. The Bengals, on the other hand, kept their playoff hopes alive by securing an overtime win against the Broncos, with Joe Burrow clearly reveling in the victory.

Overall, viewers responded positively to another engaging episode depicting the competitive nature of the AFC North. The excitement is expected to continue next week, as the stakes remain high with the division title on the line.