Frank Reich firsts
Frank Reich will get a slice of nostalgia in his first game as Carolina's head coach. The Panthers travel to Atlanta in Week 1, and it'll be the first time they've opened on the road against the Falcons since their inaugural season. Carolina went to Atlanta for the opener in 1995 – when Reich was starting quarterback and threw the first touchdown in franchise history. Dom Capers, who returned to Carolina as a senior defensive assistant this season, was head coach that season.
Primetime home opener
The Panthers' home opener on Monday Night Football in Week 2 against the Saints will be the first time they've played their first home game of the season in primetime since 2004 against the Packers. Carolina lost that game 24-14.
Return to Monday Night Football
Carolina's home opener will also be its first appearance on Monday Night Football since 2018. The Panthers also played New Orleans in that game, falling 12-9 in a mid-December matchup.
2 – Meetings with the Lions
The Panthers have two meetings with the Lions on this year's schedule, meeting them at home in the preseason and at Detroit in Week 5. It's the first time Carolina has played a team in preseason and the regular season since 2018, when the Steelers appeared twice on the schedule.
7 – Bye Week
Carolina's Week 7 bye snaps a three-year streak of Week 13 byes dating back to 2020. The Panthers were last idle in Week 7 in 2019.
3 – Other rookie QBs on the schedule
The Panthers, which selected quarterback Bryce Young with the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, will meet all three of the other highly drafted rookie quarterbacks from this year's class. Carolina hosts the Texans and C.J. Stroud, the second overall pick, in Week 8, before hosting the Colts and Anthony Richardson, the fourth overall pick, in Week 9. Carolina travels to Tennessee in Week 12; the Titans drafted Will Levis with the 33rd overall pick on day two.
Christmas Eve at Bank of America Stadium
Carolina will play a second-straight Christmas Eve game at Bank of America Stadium this season. The Packers are scheduled for a 1 p.m. matchup on Dec. 24. Last year, the Panthers played the Lions on Christmas Eve and won 37-23 in the coldest home game in franchise history. Carolina is 4-4 all-time in Christmas Eve games.
Meeting the Jaguars after October
The Panthers will play the Jaguars after October for only the second time in franchise history when the two meet in Week 17 for a Dec. 31 game. The first time the two met after October was in 2007, when the Panthers lost in a December game at Jacksonville.
View photos from the last time the Panthers played each of this season's opponents.
Week 1 at Atlanta Falcons
Week 2 vs. New Orleans Saints
Week 3 at Seattle Seahawks
Week 4 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Week 5 at Detroit Lions
Week 6 at Miami Dolphins
Week 8 vs. Houston Texans
Week 9 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week 10 at Chicago Bears
Week 11 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week 12 at Tennessee Titans
Week 13 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 14 at New Orleans Saints
Week 15 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Week 16 vs. Green Bay Packers
Week 17 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 18 at vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
