The Lions are in an unusual position ahead of the 2022 NFL season.
Detroit will not only be the featured team on HBO's "Hard Knocks" docuseries for the first time, but also is unusually optimistic heading into coach Dan Campbell's second season. That's a year after the team suffered several heartbreaks in a 3-13-1 debut for Campbell.
"Hard Knocks" isn't exactly associated with winning, as nine of 17 teams have gone on to losing seasons after getting featured on the HBO docuseries. But then, neither are the Lions, one of the NFL's historically downtrodden teams.
It's worth noting, then, that seven teams featured on "Hard Knocks" have reached the playoffs — six of them with double-digit wins. Hey, if there's ever a time to have hope for the upcoming season, then preseason camp would be it.
MORE: Who is the 'Hard Knocks' narrator?
With that, here's everything you need to know about the 2022 "Hard Knocks" documentary featuring the Lions, including times, dates, streaming options and more:
'Hard Knocks' schedule 2022
- Episode 1: Tuesday, Aug. 9
- Air time: 10 p.m. ET (HBO)
The first episode of "Hard Knocks" begins on Tuesday, Aug. 9 at 10 p.m. ET on HBO. New hour-long episodes will premiere each of the next four Tuesdays through Sept. 6.
| Episode | Air date | Time (ET) | Channel | Live stream |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | Aug. 9 | 10 p.m. | HBO | HBO Max |
| Episode 2 | Aug. 16 | 10 p.m. | HBO | HBO Max |
| Episode 3 | Aug. 23 | 10 p.m. | HBO | HBO Max |
| Episode 4 | Aug. 30 | 10 p.m. | HBO | HBO Max |
| Episode 5 | Sept. 6 | 10 p.m. | HBO | HBO Max |
How to watch 'Hard Knocks'
- TV channel: HBO
- Live stream: HBO Max
"Hard Knocks" is owned by HBO, meaning anyone interested in following the action must watch it on HBO or wait for it to stream it via HBO's dedicated streaming service, HBO Max.
HBO Max has multiple options, starting with $9.99 a month.
MORE: The best of Dan Campbell's quotes as Lions coach
How have featured teams on 'Hard Knocks' fared?
The Lions will be the 14th different team — in 17 seasons — to be the featured franchise on "Hard Knocks." The series featured both Los Angeles teams in 2020, with the Rams going 10-6 and the Chargers going 7-9.
The Cowboys were 2021's featured team, becoming the second franchise in as many years to make it to the playoffs after featuring on "Hard Knocks." The Lions can only hope to be the third (which would give the team its first playoff appearance since 2016).
This year will offer several storylines out of Allen Park, Mich. — not least of which is Campbell, who in many ways is the biggest character on this Lions team. He has generated significant confidence in a franchise that hasn't had much to enjoy, historically.
Other storylines include whether Jared Goff can see greater success in 2022 with a receiving corps that includes Amon-Ra St. Brown and first-round NFL draft selection Jameson Williams.
| Year | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Baltimore Ravens | 10-6* |
| 2002 | Dallas Cowboys | 5-11 |
| 2007 | Kansas City Chiefs | 4-12 |
| 2008 | Dallas Cowboys | 9-7 |
| 2009 | Cincinnati Bengals | 10-6* |
| 2010 | New York Jets | 11-5* |
| 2012 | Miami Dolphins | 7-9 |
| 2013 | Cincinnati Bengals | 11-5* |
| 2014 | Atlanta Falcons | 6-10 |
| 2015 | Houston Texans | 9-7* |
| 2016 | Los Angeles Rams | 4-12 |
| 2017 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 5-11 |
| 2018 | Cleveland Browns | 7-8-1 |
| 2019 | Oakland Raiders | 7-9 |
| 2020 | Los Angeles Rams | 10-6* |
| 2020 | Los Angeles Chargers | 7-9 |
| 2021 | Dallas Cowboys* | 12-5* |
| 2022 | Detroit Lions | — |
*Made playoffs