The Baltimore Ravens kicked off their NFL preseason schedule on August 12 with a 17-12 victory against the Carolina Panthers at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
The starters for the Ravens didn’t play more than a quarter throughout the game, but the little playing time they did see was more than enough to tease fans on what to expect when the regular season arrives.
Most NFL experts expected the Ravens to display an explosive offense after adding several weapons this offseason. Baltimore didn’t disappoint, as third-year quarterback Joe Flacco completed eight of 12 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown in little more than a quarter of play.
Flacco capped off a 96-yard scoring drive by hooking up with veteran receiver Mark Clayton for a 30-yard touchdown catch and run.. Newly acquired NFL Pro-Bowl receiver Anquan Boldin snatched one catch for a 12-yard first down, while fellow new arrival receiver Donte’ Stallworth also caught one pass, for 26 yards.
“We need to clean some things up, but overall it was a good start,” Flacco said during the postgame press conference.
The Ravens’ first-team defense also performed well, holding Carolina scoreless until most of their starters were resting. Both teams played their backups in the second quarter, which allowed former Heisman trophy winner Troy Smith a chance to display his skills.
Smith connected on just two of six passes for 18 yards, but led the Ravens to a score on an eight-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Baltimore (1-0 preseason) will now prepare for its next action on August 21 against their Baltimore-Washington Parkway rival, the Washington Redskins, at FedEx Field.
