CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With Joe Flacco nearly perfect and Baltimore's defense as ferocious as ever, the Ravens appear ready for the regular season.

The Carolina Panthers can only hope their injured players return quickly to shore up problems on both sides of the ball.

Flacco threw for 247 yards and a touchdown, the Ravens' defense shut down Carolina's first unit, and Baltimore beat the Panthers 17-13 on Saturday

The third exhibition game, where both teams played their starters into the third quarter, proved one-sided when the regulars were on the field. The Panthers, playing without their top two running backs and three starters on defense, were overwhelmed early by Flacco, who completed 23 of 28 passes.