When the NFL dumped the 2020 preseason schedule as an afterthought the same night as the regular season’s it didn’t get much fanfare. For one thing, there weren’t dates and times listed for most of the contests. Now, we have a lot more information on this year’s exhibition games.
There is still no official date or time for the Panthers’ Week 1 home matchup with the Jaguars. That game will take place some time between Aug. 13-17.
We have specifics for the other three games on the schedule, though.
The next game will come against the Patriots on the road. That will take place on Thursday Aug. 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
After that, there’s the dress rehearsal game against the Ravens in Baltimore. This one has been scheduled for Sunday Aug. 30 at 8:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast nationally on NBC.
Teams usually play their starters the first half of Week 3, so it should offer an early measuring stick for Phil Snow’s defense. Last season, the Ravens led the NFL in scoring by averaging 33.2 points per game, over a field goal more than any other team. Baltimore will test Carolina’s run defense in particular. In 2019, the Panthers ranked No. 32 against the run, while the Ravens averaged 206 rushing yards per game, miles ahead of the second-place 49ers, who averaged 144.1.
Then again, there’s no guarantee we will see Greg Roman’s offense at full strength. It might make more sense for Baltimore to sit their starting quarterback and reigning league MVP Lamar Jackson. Carolina offered the ultimate cautionary tale in 2019. Last year, Cam Newton was injured in Week 3 of the preseason against the Patriots and it wound up ruining his entire year.
As per tradition, the Panthers will close out their 2020 preseason schedule against the Steelers. That game will be on Thursday Sep. 3 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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