Panthers schedule: 4 matchups to watch in week 1 clash with Raiders
By Dean Jones
The Carolina Panthers schedule has reportedly pitted them against the Las Vegas Raiders in week one, which could result in some intriguing matchups on the field.
It promises to be a mouth-watering start to life in the NFL for Matt Rhule. According to Joe Person of The Athletic, the new head coach will lead his team out for the first time at home to the Las Vegas Raiders in week one of the Carolina Panthers schedule.
While there might have been easier choices on the Panthers schedule for their first game of 2020. It does throw up some eye-catching individual battles which could determine the outcome of a critical contest for both teams.
They will each want to set their stall out at the earliest possible opportunity, for very different reasons. The Panthers will need to build some momentum quickly to avoid a predicted slide that could see them land another high draft pick in 2021. The Raiders harbor ambitions of a playoff berth and have undoubtedly identified this game as one where they can pick up a positive result.
Week one might not matter all that much in terms of the bigger picture of the season. It will be vital the Panthers schedule gets off to a good start with an encouraging performance at the very least given what has been a turbulent offseason so far.
It is going to be strange seeing Carolina take the field without perennial All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly and 2015 NFL MVP Cam Newton, who have been the cornerstones of the franchise for so long.
One thing is for sure, there will be plenty of talent on both sides. Here are four battles that fans should keep an eye on during the contest.