Panthers schedule expectations for 2018
What to expect from the Carolina Panthers 2018 schedule when it is released…
The Carolina Panthers opened 2016 on a Thursday night against the reigning Super Bowl champions, to whom they had lost just seven months prior. Coach Ron Rivera was not happy about having to travel across the country and kickoff the new season in a rematch with Denver but the NFL determined it was best for business.
Another rematch could have been scheduled last year as Atlanta was destined to visit Foxboro but that game ended up being held in Week 7, although it was a Sunday night. Another Super Bowl rematch isn’t in the cards for 2018 but that doesn’t mean Carolina may not be open the season on the road in the first NFL game of the year.
Philadelphia isn’t scheduled to play New England, but the Panthers will visit the Eagles at some point next season. The two played in 2017 on a Thursday night and it could happen again to begin the 2018 season. If so, expect Rivera to be even more disturbed by having to start yet another season on the road.
Despite their recent success, the Panthers have opened play on the road in each of the past four seasons. Hopefully, the NFL realizes this and gives Carolina a home game to begin 2018. If so, a likely candidate would be the Seattle Seahawks. This would prevent opening with a divisional game and keep the Seahawks from having to travel across the country in the middle of the season. The Panthers opened play against Seattle in 2013, their last home opener.
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The Panthers are also prime candidates for at least one Monday night and Thursday night game, having reached the playoffs one year ago. Some marquee matchups which should warrant consideration for these prime time games include contests against the New York Giants or divisional opponents Atlanta and New Orleans.
All non-divisional away games for 2018 will be in the eastern time zone. From a travel standpoint, Carolina will not log too many miles as a visit to the Superdome in New Orleans will be the longest trip of the year away from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
The NFL released the 2017 schedule on April 20 and typically announces all of the games prior to the NFL Draft. This year, the draft begins on April 26 and although no official date has been announced, expect the calendar to become public sometime between April 17-19.
Next: Offseason Roster Review - Defense
Until then, keep your fingers crossed for a Week 1 home opener and potential prime time home game this season.