Monday Night Football Season 44 Episode 4 Preseason: Carolina Panthers at Baltimore Ravens

Preseason football is finally here, and Monday Night Football is kicking things off with a non-conference battle between the Carolina Panthers and the Baltimore Ravens. Both teams will be looking to evaluate their roster depth, fill in key positions, and get their new additions and rookies some much-needed playing time.

The Panthers will be led by their new head coach, Matt Rhule, who is looking to turn the franchise around after a disappointing 5-11 season. Rhule comes from a successful stint in college football, where he coached at Temple and Baylor, and his innovative offensive schemes and attention to detail will be on full display.

Carolina's offense will be featuring a new face at quarterback as well. Former New Orleans Saints backup Teddy Bridgewater will be taking over the reins from Cam Newton, who departed for the New England Patriots during the offseason. Bridgewater is a savvy veteran who has seen his fair share of NFL action, with a career record of 22-12 as a starter. He will be looking to build chemistry with his receiving corps, which includes former New York Jets standout Robby Anderson and former Panthers first-round pick D.J. Moore.

Defensively, the Panthers will be without their standout linebacker Luke Kuechly, who retired from the NFL earlier this year. His absence will be felt, but Carolina still has a strong defensive line led by edge rusher Brian Burns and defensive tackle Kawann Short. Second-year cornerback Donte Jackson will also be looking to build on a promising rookie campaign, where he totaled four interceptions and eight pass breakups.

On the other side of the ball, the Baltimore Ravens are looking to build on their impressive 14-2 record from last season, where they dominated the AFC North and earned the top seed in the playoffs. Led by reigning MVP Lamar Jackson, the Ravens boast one of the most dangerous offenses in the league, with their run-heavy scheme and creative play-calling causing nightmares for opposing defenses.

Jackson will be looking to continue his dominance, although he likely won't be playing too much in the preseason. Backup quarterback Robert Griffin III will see plenty of playing time, however, as he tries to hold off rookie Trace McSorley for the primary backup job. The Ravens also added veteran running back Mark Ingram last season, and he will be looking to build on a solid debut campaign in Baltimore.

Defensively, the Ravens will once again be led by their stout secondary, which includes Pro Bowlers Marlon Humphrey and Earl Thomas. The addition of veteran defensive end Calais Campbell and rookie linebackers Patrick Queen and Malik Harrison should also provide a boost to this already talented defense.

Overall, this game should provide plenty of intrigue as both teams look to evaluate their rosters and get valuable playing time for their key contributors. With both the Panthers and Ravens coming off playoff-less seasons, they will be hungry to prove themselves and set the tone for the upcoming regular season. Tune in to Monday Night Football to see all the action unfold!