Ravens vs. Panthers final recap: Baltimore falls flat on their face

After their heartbreaking loss to the New Orleans Saints, the Baltimore Ravens hit the road to face another NFC South opponent, the 4-2 Carolina Panthers.

Baltimore received the ball to start the game. After a few throws from Joe Flacco and a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty from Panthers defensive tackle Dontari Poe, the Ravens were nearing the redzone. A 17-yard run from Lamar Jackson set Baltimore up at Carolina’s 14 yard line. Running back Alex Collins was able to punch it in the end zone with a 14-yard run, giving the Ravens a 7-0 lead.

After picking up two first downs on their first offensive drive, the Panthers were forced to punt. A good punt pinned Baltimore on the 1-yard line, however.

On 3rd-and-1, Jackson missed wide receiver Willie Snead IV, who was wide open. The Ravens picked up the first down on a fake punt, but the play was called back due to an illegal shift on Anthony Levine Sr.

Starting at their 46-yard line, Carolina was able to drive down the field to tie the game with a touchdown run by Christian McCaffrey. Things only got worse for Baltimore on the next drive when Collins was hit immediately in the backfield and fumbled. The Panthers recovered it the Ravens 12-yard line. Two plays later, Cam Newton hit tight end Greg Olsen for an 11-yard touchdown, giving Carolina a 14-7 lead.

Baltimore’s offense was unable to answer back, but a good punt from Sam Koch was able to pin the Panthers at the 1-yard line. It didn’t matter, however, as Newton led Carolina on a 99-yard scoring drive. Safety Eric Weddle tipped the ball on the touchdown, but it landed in McCaffrey’s hands in the end zone, extending the lead to 21-7.

The Ravens had a chance to put some more points on the board before halftime, but the drive stalled and ended in a Flacco interception to safety Mike Adams. The Panthers were able to add another three points to their lead with a 54-yard field goal from Graham Gano. Baltimore entered halftime trailing 24-7.

Carolina was forced to punt on their opening drive of the second-half. The Ravens were unable to get anything going either, as they failed to convert on fourth down.

After another Panthers punt, Flacco had the offense moving. Unfortunately, the drive ended as Flacco threw his second interception of the day, this time to Captain Munnerlyn. Carolina answered with another field goal, extending the lead to 27-7.

Baltimore was able to cut into the lead on the next drive, when Flacco hit running back Javorius “Buck” Allen for a touchdown. The Ravens trailed 27-14 with the third quarter coming to an end.

It didn’t matter for long, however, as Newton drove down the field and scrambled in for another touchdown. The Panthers attempted a two-point conversion but it was intercepted by Weddle, making the score 33-14 with under 10 minutes left to play.

Baltimore quickly went three-and-out on the next drive and allowed Carolina to string together a clock-killing drive which lasted 5:41, ending in another field goal, making it 36-14.

Jackson came in at quarterback to close out the game for the Ravens. Though it was a meaningless drive, Jackson drove the offense down the field to score on a touchdown pass to rookie tight end Hayden Hurst. This was Hurst’s first regular season touchdown and Jackson’s first passing touchdown. Jackson finished 4/5 for 46 yards and a touchdown.

Flacco finished the day 22/39 for 192 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. An embarrassing performance for the veteran quarterback. Collins rushed 11 times for 49 yards and a touchdown. Jackson had the next most rushing yards with 26 on three rushes. Snead led the team in receiving yards with a mere 48.

This was an unacceptable loss for Baltimore as they now fall to 4-4. The Ravens now face the Pittsburgh Steelers in a pivotal divisional match up.