Panthers: Playoffs return justifiable in 2018

Favorable Late Season Schedule

The Panthers 2018 schedule is a juggernaut when evaluated in its entirety but when broken down some positives begin to appear. Instead of focusing on the early bye week, having to visit the defending Super Bowl champions or back-to-back road games at Pittsburgh and Detroit, the final few weeks provide a sense of optimism.

If Carolina can navigate the first few months of the schedule having four of their final five weeks include divisional games, plus two of the last three at home versus New Orleans and Atlanta, will benefit the Panthers.

Under Rivera, Carolina has historically performed well over their final month and improved as the season progresses. Both factors will be important to remember as the Panthers build momentum for another playoff appearance.