Carolina Panthers prediction for Week 8 vs. Baltimore Ravens
Carolina Panthers Week 8 preview and prediction vs. Baltimore Ravens.
Undefeated inside Bank of America Stadium this season, the Carolina Panthers return after two weeks on the road to face the AFC North Baltimore Ravens. In franchise history the Panthers and Ravens have only met five times with Baltimore holding a one game advantage but Carolina has won two of three in Charlotte.
Perhaps the most memorable matchup occurred when these two teams last faced one another in Baltimore during the 2014 season. Panthers legendary wide receiver Steve Smith left a 13 year career in Carolina after his surprising release which saw him eventually land in Baltimore before retirement.
Promising “blood and guts” if the two teams were to meet, Smith delivered with seven catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns against his old team as the Ravens cruised to a 38-10 victory. This season Baltimore has been up and down, dominating Tennessee with 11 sacks and a shutout while managing only field goals in a 12-9 overtime loss to the Cleveland Browns.
2018 SEASON: CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-2) vs. BALTIMORE RAVENS (4-3)
KICKOFF: Sunday, October 28 at 1:00 PM ET
TV: CBS Broadcast Coverage Map
ONLINE: FuboTV Watch over 67 live sports and entertainment channels with a 7-day FREE trial!
LOCATION: Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, NC)
WEATHER: 66 degrees, 71% humidity, 6mph WSW wind, 10% precipitation
LAST MEETING: 38-10, RAVENS – September 28, 2014 (WEEK 4)
WHAT TO WATCH:
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How the Panthers secondary handle a strong group of receivers and quarterback Joe Flacco will determine the outcome of this football game. Flacco already has 11 touchdowns in 2018 against only four interceptions, with at least one scoring strike through the air in every game but one.
Willie Snead, Michael Crabtree and John Brown all present a potential threat against Carolina on the outside as cornerbacks James Bradberry and rookie Donte Jackson will be tested early and often. A top-5 team in total receptions and top-10 in yards per game, the Ravens and Flacco will be trouble for the Panthers.
If the defensive line can assist their secondary teammates with pressure it will greatly impact the ability of Flacco to be successful. After allowing four sacks to Cincinnati in their second game of the season, the Ravens have shored up their protection with Flacco only going down three times over the past three weeks.
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A fast start would be ideal for the Panthers but both of these teams heavily rely on their defense and each will again on Sunday. Expect a tight contest with little margin for error where Carolina scores early, leans on their defense throughout and pulls off another dramatic win late.
PREDICTION: Carolina Panthers – 17, Baltimore Ravens – 16