Fansided

Ravens vs. Panthers final score: Baltimore crushes Carolina 38-10

By Catherine Silverman

Sep 28, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) is defended by Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) is defended by Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Earlier in the week, I predicted that Baltimore would run away with this game 38-14. I had lingering doubts that the Ravens defense could shut down Cam Newton in such a serious way… but turns out, I was closer than I could have expected.

In a Baltimore-dominant Sunday matchup, the Ravens took a 38-10 win at home over the Carolina Panthers, putting Baltimore at 3-1 and pushing the Panthers to a 2-2 split.

The game started off with a fast but unorganized offensive line for the Panthers. They had trouble securing first downs, particularly against a Baltimore defense absolutely dominated by Terrell Suggs. Almost immediately, he’s able to overcome his block and complete two sacks; the only major issue for Baltimore in the front end of the game was an continual drawing of pointless flags. As the game progressed, this continued to be the only shortcoming to an absolutely monstrous Baltimore squad.

Joe Flacco did what Joe Flacco is paid to do, time and time again- remained calm and pushed the ball forward. Carolina’s defense simply couldn’t compete; any losses by the Baltimore offense was the result of penalties and not any sort of spectacular play by the Panthers.

This game saw a rattled Cam Newton; when Baltimore’s defense bore down, he made a habit of executing rash decisions rather than the best ones he could have. It’s looking more and more likely that Newton is injured; at worst, he’s distracted.

While fans went into this game expecting it to be a Steven Smith bloodbath, the former Carolina player was just the tip of the iceberg in a game that saw a Carolina squad struggling without a leg to stand on. They didn’t play stupidly, but rather simply looked like the weaker squad from the first quarter on. Even the continuance of the Ravens drawing unnecessary flags couldn’t save the Panthers.

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