HBO 'Hard Knocks' schedule 2020: How to watch, stream training camp with Rams & Chargers

by 24USATVAug. 12, 2020, 7 p.m. 62
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There will be no NFL preseason games in 2020, but there will still be another season of "Hard Knocks." Despite new safety measures in place for NFL training camps because of COVID-19, NFL Films' documentary series is back for a 15th television season on HBO.

This time, for the first time, two teams will be featured — the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers. The two teams' L.A. training camp stories will share the spotlight ahead of the teams starting play in their new joint venue, SoFi Stadium, for the 2020 NFL regular season.

So "Hard Knocks" is going bigger, but will it be better? On the surface, the Rams and Chargers are far from the league's most compelling teams as borderline playoff contenders. With the entire preseason schedule wiped out, however, "Hard Knocks" will be the NFL's only televised action before the Week 1 opener, helping their cases.

The Rams have lost some star power since their Super Bowl 53 run. Their most intriguing camp battle on the field is at running back, where rookie Cam Akers is trying to succeed Todd Gurley. They also have one huge defensive presence in Aaron Donald and a huge defensive personality in Jalen Ramsey. Coach Sean McVay's smart-talking offensive mind also should provide a few gems.

The Chargers are undergoing a quarterback transition with their coach, Anthony Lynn, as Tyrod Taylor takes over from Philip Rivers with rookie first-round pick Justin Herbert waiting closely in the wings. They have some good offensive skill around QB, but like the Rams, their two brightest stars are on defense, Joey Bosa and Derwin James.

The "Hard Knocks" film crew and editors will need to figure out how to get the best out the 18-time Emmy-winning series over the next several weeks. Who will get more screen time, the Rams or the Chargers? NFL reality TV fans will be most interested to find out:

The latest season of "Hard Knocks" begins Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 10 p.m. ET on HBO. New episodes arrive once a week every Tuesday night during NFL training camp. Check back for weekly reviews for each episode before watching the new one.

"Hard Knocks" airs exclusively on HBO, so you will need to subscribe to the service through a cable provider ($14.99 per month) in order to watch each episode live. HBO's rebranded streaming service, HBO Max, also carries each episode and offers a seven-day free trial for new subscribers.

The show introduces us to as many 2020 Rams and Chargers as it can in one hour. Chargers coach Anthony Lynn opens with the first of several Zoom meetings featured in the episode, delivering an impassioned speech about how his team will handle the challenges of the coronavirus and win big this season. At his home, Lynn shares the story of how he met his wife, Stacy, while showing off his grilling skills. Rams coach Sean McVay then gets his turn in his own mansion, where he quarantined comfortably with his fiancee Veronika and his dog Callie. McVay shares how he coached Callie to do ball tricks around the pool a la Air Bud.

Cut to the team facilities for player COVID-19 testing, where Chargers cornerback Casey Heyward Jr. has a more difficult time than his teammates and Rams tackle Aaron Donald isn't a huge fan of blood draws. McVay is introduced to a plastic face shield and is amused by using it and mocking himself for it. He makes sure his team is aware of the Marlins' mistakes and calls on the Rams to stay within their "ecosystem."

Narrator Liev Schreiber says this "training camp is unrecognizable" as we see Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen fully black masked. Lynn talks about game-planning for COVID being more difficult than game-planning for the schedule.

Rams cornerback Donte Deayon explains how he's trying to get to the "suburbs," making the team with his own fancy locker, a status enjoyed by Pro Bowl position mate Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey then gets his 'Hard Knocks' version of a hype video as a "money player" before he gets annoyed by local media asking him about his contract negotiations on Zoom.

Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa is seen signing his lucrative new deal. In a emotional moment, Bosa sheds a few tears when opening up about what it was like to share the news with his father John, a retired NFL player.

Cut to the establishment of the Chargers' quarterback "battle", where Tyrod Taylor is the presumed starter over rookie first-rounder Justin Herbert. Herbert comes in fresh faced with a lot to learn. He is then seen acing some "target practice" with his throwing arm.

Lynn tells Chargers team clinician Dr. Herb Martin how he tested positive for the coronavirus in the offseason. Lynn experienced soreness and body aches, but didn't think he might have the virus until he saw a golfer pull out of a tournament with the same symptoms. Lynn admits it made him "feel like an outcast."

After Lynn gives his players the freedom to react to the national anthem however they want this season, some join a Zoom call with assistant coaches and an outside consultant to better learn about social justice initiatives.

The first player from either team to test positive for COVID-19 is Rams rookie linebacker Terrell Lewis. He is forced to quarantine away from the team facility for 10 days.

As the Rams and Chargers start making cuts to get down to 80 players, Lynn and Chargers general manager Tom Telesco are surprised by tight end Andrew Vollert's profanity-laced reaction to his release, despite the fact he was a clear odd man out on the depth chart. Lynn jokes with Telesco that the thought of "you ain't Antonio Gates" crossed his mind.

After a few more relatable Zoom shenanigans from both teams, the episode ends with McVay's unwavering policy on proper port-a-potty etiquette.

The Rams are being featured on 'Hard Knocks' for the second time since 2016. The Chargers will become the 11th new NFL team featured on "Hard Knocks" over 15 seasons. Of all the individual teams appearing on "Hard Knocks" in any given year since 2001, only five have followed up by making the playoffs that season. Here's how each team's season went after its appearance on the show.

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