NFL fans are in for an extra treat this season. HBO announced in June that there would be an in-season AFC North production of their wildly popular "Hard Knocks" documentary -- a first for the blockbuster show since it began in August 2001.

We're nearly one month away from the Dec. 3 premiere of "Hard Knocks: In Season," but according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor, filming begins next week.

And it couldn't come at a more opportune time. The Pittsburgh Steelers are the only team in the AFC North that has yet to face a divisional opponent. They'll face their rivals six times in eight weeks, starting with the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11 on Nov. 17 and closing out the regular season with the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 5, 2025.

Baltimore, nipping on the heels of the Steelers' narrow lead in the North, has just acquired Pittsburgh's former top-producing receiver, Diontae Johnson.

Oh, and the Cleveland Browns offense got a little better after Deshaun Watson's premature exit and the return of four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb.

The Bengals are a struggling 3-5 team right now, but we all know records are thrown out the window when rivals play.

Christmas comes a little early for Steelers fans this year.

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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: When does HBO 'Hard Knocks: In Season' featuring Steelers start filming?