Tag: Panthers Ravens

The Panthers have finalized a couple joint practice dates with one team and are in talks with another. Yesterday, head coach Matt Rhule confirmed that his team will hold two joint practices with the Colts before their preseason matchup in August – the first of the year.

Apparently, Carolina is also looking for a few with the Ravens, their next opponent on the preseason schedule. According to a report by Joe Person at the Athletic, they’re in talks.

“The Panthers might have joint practices the following week, as well. They’re talking with the Ravens about practicing together in Charlotte or Spartanburg heading into their Aug. 21 exhibition at Bank of America Stadium, according to a source.”

Rhule has one of the youngest teams in the league, so it makes sense that he wants to get as many live reps as possible this summer.

Baltimore should provide a challenge that few teams around the NFL can match. In Lamar Jackson they have a former MVP and one of the sport’s most dynamic athletes. The Ravens have won at least 10 games every year since they drafted him and since John Harbaugh took over as coach in 2008, they’ve had a losing record only one season.

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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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