It might only be preseason, but who doesn't want their favorite team to win? We are going to look at the four keys for the Carolina Panthers to beat the Baltimore Ravens in the preseason opener Thursday.

Health:

It seems like such a simple concept, but it is something that the Panthers need to focus on as much as possible. They are undoubtedly the better team, but losing any players will immediately put a damper on the game. Losing a key member like wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin was lost in 2015 will immediately make this a loss for Carolina regardless of the final score.

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Pass rush:

Baltimore's offensive line is a question mark right now. After losing their entire left side this offseason, the Ravens have two players at left tackle and left guard that haven't seen a ton of live action yet. On the right side is Ricky Wagner, a player that did well his first season as a starter, but fell to earth quickly in 2015.

Getting after the quarterbacks will be a major factor on how the Panthers' defense does Thursday night. If they can harass them consistently, there should be plenty of big mistakes for the secondary to capitalize on.

Keep it in front of you:

Defensively, Carolina's secondary needs to keep everything in front of them. The Ravens have two guys will deep speed in Breshad Perriman and Mike Wallace and they would be smart to test out the young Panthers' secondary with them. A catch isn't nearly as bad if you don't let the receiver get behind you and you can make the tackle. This will be one of the biggest and most telling tests of rookies James Bradberry and Daryl Worley this preseason.

Slow it down:

On offense, Carolina needs to slow things down. Take their time and make good throws and good runs. Don't try and hit the homerun immediately, just get everything up to speed and focus on technique.

There are a bunch of players on offense fighting for only a few jobs and that can get them excited. Sometimes, too excited and it ends up having the opposite effect where they make a mistake. By taking a minute to breathe and focusing on each play individually, guys will better hit their potential and the entire offense will have a better showing for it.

Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) shakes hands with Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) in the fourth quarter in Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports Jan 12, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Kendall Hunter (32) is brought down by Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy (76) during the second half of the 2013 NFC divisional playoff football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports Nov 30, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) pressures Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) in the third quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports Dec 13, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Sean Renfree (12) is sacked by Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kyle Love (93) in the fourth quarter. The Panthers defeated the Falcons 38-0 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports Jan 3, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) is tackled by Carolina Panthers linebacker Ben Jacobs (53) in the fourth quarter. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 38-10 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports Dec 6, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) shakes hands with New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) after their game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Panthers defeated the Saints 41-38. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) dives for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports Oct 20, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; St. Louis Rams quarterback Kellen Clemens fumbles the ball after being hit by Carolina safety Mike Mitchell (21) during the game at Bank of America Stadium. Panthers win 30-15. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports Aug 17, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Cyrus Gray (32) tries to run through the tackle of Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Casey Walker (74) during the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports Dec 6, 2015;