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Three key matchups for Carolina Panthers against Baltimore Ravens

By Danny Jaillet

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 22: Quarterbacks Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens and Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers talk after a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 22, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 22: Quarterbacks Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens and Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers talk after a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 22, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 31: Defensive End Za’Darius Smith #90 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 31: Defensive End Za’Darius Smith #90 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Ravens defensive line vs. Panthers offensive line

The Baltimore Ravens defensive line has been one of the best in the National Football League this season in terms of getting to the quarterback. They are fast, can create pressure quickly, and make life miserable for the quarterback.

The Ravens lead the league in sacks with 27. That is five more than the second-place teams, the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers, who each have 22. After a few years in which the Baltimore defense struggled to replace veterans like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, the defense has their identity back again. Leading the way for Baltimore in the sack department are linebackers Za’Darius Smith and Terrell Suggs. They each have 5.5 sacks.

This will be a nice test for the Panthers offensive line. After some concerns about the position heading into the year, the line has performed nicely. They rank at the bottom of the league in sacks given up with 10 on the year. In this case, being at the bottom is a good thing. Containing the Ravens defensive line will not be easy, but as long as the offensive line sticks to their game plan, they should be fine.

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