Spiele (alles andere) » in the first half against the All Blacks,

BALTIMORE - John Harbaugh isnt going to pretend its imperative that the Baltimore Ravens beat the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night. If winning was important, the defending Super Bowl champions would be looking at game film and studying the tendencies of Carolina quarterback Cam Newton. None of that occurred before Baltimore faced Atlanta last week or before the preseason opener against Tampa Bay. Watch the game live on TSN2 tonight at 8pm et/5pm pt. "We havent game-planned either one of these games," Harbaugh said. "The last game, we just looked at them for one day, a little bit what they do, and played what we would call a camp game. Were not trying to scheme anything. Were just trying to get good at the fundamentals and then evaluate our players." Harbaugh intends to play most of his starters into the third quarter. The hope is that they perform better than against Atlanta, when the offence and defence struggled during a lacklustre first half. After watching the Ravens fall behind the Falcons 20-7 at intermission, Harbaugh had a quick analysis of what he just saw. "That first half was about as poorly as we can play," Harbaugh said. "I cant remember us playing worse since we came here." His assessment didnt change much after he had a few days to review the performance. "We didnt play fundamentally very well, and thats the issue," Harbaugh said. "Im not worried about scheme or result as much as how you play. And we put ourselves in a hole too much to even get a look at ourselves. You cant be in first-and-25. You cant turn the ball over. All of those things weve got to do a better job of." Even though the Ravens won both their first two preseason games, the object in this one is to put on a good show for the coaching staff because few, if any, of the starters will be playing against St. Louis next week in the preseason finale. "I think its very important just for us to play well, more so than anything else," offensive co-ordinator Jim Caldwell said. "Any unit that takes the field, we want them to go out there and be in sync, move the ball and put some points on the board. Were looking forward to that. In the third game, typically you end up playing a little bit more. It depends on what John wants to do in that regard, but we want to see our effectiveness and our execution climb up a notch or two." Harbaugh said, "We want to play good, solid football. Weve done that at times but we havent been consistent this preseason so far. Wed like to see that." There will be more players to evaluate this time, because wide receiver Brandon Stokley and tight end Dallas Clark are expected to get extended time after signing contracts last week. Stokley saw limited action last week and Clark did not play. In his two games thus far, quarterback Joe Flacco is 14 for 18 for 175 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Hes still getting used to a receiving corps that is without two of his favourite targets of a year ago, Anquan Boldin (traded) and Dennis Pitta (injured). "Some of the guys are young guys that are new, some of the guys are older guys — like Stokley and Dallas — that hes getting a feel for," Caldwell said. "Hes got his work cut out for him in that regard, but I think you can see them starting to blend and jell." On defence, the Ravens are hoping to get a solid pass rush from Terrell Suggs and newcomer Elvis Dumervil, but defensive co-ordinator Dean Pees will wait until before the Sept. 5 opener in Denver to begin devising a plan to get the most out of the two. "Well find out when the games start getting played for real," Harbaugh said. "Thats when well find out if its what we hoped for. Theyre both the real deal. Suggs is rushing the passer better than Ive seen in the time Ive been here. And obviously, Elvis Dumervil is as good as advertised." On the back end of the defence, top draft pick Matt Elam has been solid. If he continues to show improvement, then the Ravens just might forget about safeties Bernard Pollard and Ed Reed, who became a salary-cap casualties. "Hes fast and hes tough," Pees said of Elam. "Thats what you want in a strong safety. The guy will come hit you. . He still makes the rookie mistakes and stuff that eventually he will get rid of." Ozzie Albies Braves Jersey .C. -- Chris Thorburn thinks one of the reasons the Winnipeg Jets have been successful under new coach Paul Maurice is that theyre playing together as a team. Babe Ruth Braves Jersey . - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap. http://www.baseballbravesproshop.com/brian-mccann-braves-jersey/ .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. Matt Joyce Braves Jersey . -- Most satisfying to Russ Smith about No. Mike Foltynewicz Jersey . The nimble-footed quarterback got his wish, dashing through the snow and a weary defence all the way into the NCAA record book. Australias final Test on home soil for 2016 represents a huge challenge as they seek to improve upon a dismal 1-6 domestic season. That comes in the form of the Pumas who will be confident of an upset win at nib Stadium despite a 35-point hammering from the All Blacks in Hamilton last weekend. What that scoreline doesnt reveal were 50 minutes of high-quality Test rugby when Argentina asked serious questions of the New Zealand defence, but couldnt find the tries they needed to keep pace with the world champions. Eventually, the energy the Pumas had exhausted on attack resulted in a flimsy defensive line and the final lopsided scoreboard.The Wallabies, meanwhile, looked to be headed for a seventh straight Test defeat when South Africa slipped out to an early 14-3 lead in Brisbane. Michael Cheikas side were able to steady however and after cleaning up a sloppy breakdown, they were able to string enough phases together to cross for two tries of their own and built enough pressure for Bernard Foley to capitalise on the Springboks ill-discipline. Still, Australias attack was high on anxiety. They will need to show greater patience and respect for possession if theyre to round out their home season with a much-needed second victory.Team newsAustraliaThe Wallabies have made just one change to their starting side with Rob Simmons returning in the second-row at the expense of Kane Douglas. The uncapped Tom Robertson and Lopeti Timani are included on the bench with Cheika to drop one player before kick-off. Henry Speight has also been included among the replacements with Drew Mitchell dropping out.Israel Folau, Dane Haylett-Petty, Samu Kerevi, Bernard Foley, Reece Hodge, Quade Cooper, Will Genia; David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Dean Mumm, Adam Coleman, Rob Simmons, Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore, Scott Sio.?Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Tom Robertson, Rory Arnold, Lopeti Timani, Sean McMahon, Nick Phipps, Tevita Kuridrani, Henry Speight. (one to be omitted)ArgentinaThe Pumas have made five changes to the starting side that ran out of gas against the All Blacks. In the backline, Tomas Cubelli, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, Matias Moroni and Santiago Gonzalo Iglesias have all earned starts while Juan Manuel Leguizamon returns at openside after missing last weeks Test through injury. The flankers inclusion sees Javier Ortega Desio move to lock.Joaquin Tuculet, Santiago Cordero, Matias Moroni, Santiago Gonzalo Iglesias, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, Nicolas Sanchez, Tomas Cubelli; Facundo Isa, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Pablo Matera, Matias Alemanno, Javier Ortega Desio, Ramiro Herrera, Agustin Creevy, Nahuel Tetaz.Replacements: Julian Montoya, Lucas Noguera, Enrique Pieretto, Marcos Kremer, Leonardo Senatore, Martin Landajo, Gabriel Ascarate, Matias Orlando.Key match-up: David Pocock vs. Facundo IsaReturning to the city where he first made his name, David Pocock will be saying hello to Perth but goodbye to Australian rugby as he turns out for his final Test for at least 12 months. Set for a sabbatical in 2017, Pocock will be desperate to end what has been a ddifficult season with a strong game in Perth.ddddddddddddOutshone at the breakdown by back-row teammate Michael Hooper in Brisbane, Pocock still delivered a credible 80 minutes in carrying 11 times for 18 metres and making eight tackles. Playing at No.8 that is the role he must continue to fill, particularly given the style of play the Pumas enjoy in Isa.At just 22 years of age, Isa is one of the brightest prospects in Argentine rugby. The powerfully-built No.8 has already notched 19 Tests and looks set for a long international career at the back of the Pumas scrum. Unlike Pocock, Isa is a No.8 cut from the traditional cloth in that he roams both near and far, and offers a physicality that troubles defensive lines. That was on show in Hamilton last week as he made 11 runs for 26 metres, and further pipped Pocock on the stats sheet with 10 tackles.Key stats- Australia have defeated Argentina in 11 of their last 12 meetings, including their most recent encounter at last years World Cup.- The Wallabies set-piece is a story of conflict, the Australians enjoying the Rugby Championships best scrum success percentage (95) but lowest lineout rate (75).- Argentinas Facundo Isa has made 41 carries in three games so far this campaign, the most of any player and five more than the next busiest player, Israel Folau (36).WeatherPerth is set for a partly cloudy day on Saturday with the mercury topping out at 19 degrees. There is no chance of rain while light winds should disappear by kick-off.UBET verdict: Australia $1.25, Argentina $4.Argentina have only one win from 12 matches played against Australia since 2000, and that was in Mendoza as part of the Rugby Championship in 2014. They met in a semifinal of the World Cup in England last year and the Wallabies got home 29-15, but the Pumas were good in defeat. That followed a big win (34-9) in Mendoza as part of the 2015 Rugby Championship. Argentina were good in the first half against the All Blacks, but ultimately went down 57-22 -- not an ideal preparation to be going to Perth with this week. Australia have had their problems since the World Cup, but are expected to win this week. They are rated a $1.25 chance with UBET, the Pumas are $4.00, with the handicap set at 10.5 points start.VerdictThe Wallabies should have enjoyed a far more comfortable victory against the Springboks last week, but the fact they got that W should result in a more collected, thoughtful approach in Perth. But the performance will need to be better, too, as the Pumas are now playing a brand of rugby that goes well beyond their renowned set-piece strengths. If the Pumas are able to open the Wallabies up through the middle, as they did the All Blacks, but this time capitalise on their opportunities then an upset could be on the cards. Still, the Wallabies have unveiled some players of the future themselves and with Will Genia in outstanding form, the hosts should prevail by a narrow margin.Australia by seven. ' ' '