Baltimore Ravens at Carolina Panthers 8/21/21 - NFL Picks & Predictions

The Baltimore Ravens visit the Carolina Panthers on Saturday for a week 2 NFL preseason showdown. Baltimore opened its preseason with a 17-14 victory over the New Orleans Saints. Baltimore has won 18 consecutive preseason games and has covered the number in 16 of the 18. Baltimore lost backup quarterback Trace McSorley for the remainder of the preseason due to a back injury.

Because of the injury suffered by McSorley, Tyler Huntley is expected to be the backup quarterback to start the regular season behind Lamar Jackson. In Baltimore's victory over the Saints, Jackson did not play. The Ravens defense came up big forcing six turnovers and Huntley scored Baltimore’s only touchdown, capping a 79-yard drive. Geno Stone had two interceptions for Baltimore.

Carolina opened its preseason with a 21-18 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.  Panthers offseason acquisition quarterback Sam Darnold did not play. Former Colts practice QB PJ Walker was the starting quarterback for Carolina and passed for 161 yards with one touchdown in the loss. At one point, Carolina led 18-10 but it's defensive reserves could not hold off the Colts backup offense.

Carolina played carelessly and was called for six false start penalties. At one point in the 4th quarter, Carolina had three straight plays with false-start penalties. All of Colorado's starters including Christian McCaffrey and Darnold did not see action. Six of Carolina’s draft picks this year started for the Panthers. The Panthers rested several starters on defense as well.