CHARLOTTE – While head coach Ron Rivera believes the NFL season is a marathon rather than sprint, he certainly wouldn't mind coming out of the starting gate strong.
Rivera and the Panthers don't have a history of that, but with Sunday's season opener at the Jacksonville Jaguars fast approaching, the fifth-year coach has reason to hope that slow starts could be a thing of the past.
"We've been very fortunate in December that we've been able to put things together in the four seasons we've been here, but you also know that for whatever reason we don't tend to do that (in September)," Rivera said. "We like to kind of put ourselves behind the eight-ball.
"That's not the plan this year obviously, but we'll do the best we can. We'll show up every Sunday."
In four years with Rivera at the helm, the Panthers are 13-3 over the final four games of the regular season, matching the New England Patriots for the best late-season record in the NFL since 2011. By contrast, the Panthers are 5-11 over the first four games of the regular season, including a 1-3 mark in season openers.
When Rivera compares his team now to his team one calendar year ago - when Carolina started 2-2 and won its season opener - he likes what he sees.
"We have some answers," Rivera said. "Coming into it, the only real question everybody has on their minds is, 'What is going to happen at wide receiver?'
"Last year coming in, we had a whole bunch of questions – the offensive line question, the defensive end question, the secondary question, the health of the quarterback question. There were a lot of things weighing very heavily on this team."
So the Panthers might be in better position to win the opener and then sustain a strong start beyond Week 1, but they know better than most not to put all the eggs in that basket. Carolina started 1-3 two years ago before winning 11 of 12 games to finish 12-4, and just last year the Panthers were 3-2-1 but then lost six straight, only to finish 4-0 and capture the NFC South for a second consecutive season.
"You've got to be careful putting so much pressure on the first game," tight end Greg Olsen said. "Being 1-0 is obviously what we want, and we're going to do everything we can to win the first game. But I don't think winning the first game means more than just winning a game.
"The importance of winning in Week 1 is no different than the importance of winning in Week 11. You want to win the game that you're playing – whether that's opening day or whatever."
Still, Olsen and others readily admit that, win or lose, there is something special about opening day.
"We're ready," Olsen said. "We've gone through all the stages of offseason training – from the offseason programs to OTAs to minicamp to that little lull to training camp, then joint practices, four preseason games.
"We've kind of checked all the boxes, and now it's fun to be preparing."
Added linebacker Thomas Davis: "We're definitely eager to start the season. We have a lot of things that we're trying to accomplish this year."
The first step – of many – is Sunday.
"We're not really trying to get off to a fast start; we're trying to start strong. We want to build momentum as we go along," fullback Mike Tolbert said. "We know the season isn't a sprint. The season is very long.
"We've got a long time before we get to San Francisco (site of Super Bowl 50), which is our ultimate goal. So we're just going to take it one week at a game, one day at a time."
LAST TIME THEY PLAYED
Photos from Carolina's win over Jacksonville.
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) runs for a first down during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Jacksonville Jaguars' Blaine Gabbert (11) is tackled in the end zone for a safety as Carolina Panthers' Terrell McClain (97) closes in during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) throws a pass under pressure from Jacksonville Jaguars' Austen Lane (92) during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera, right, argues a call with referee Bill Leavy, left, during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars' Daryl Smith (52) during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars' Dwight Lowery (25) during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
In the rain, Jacksonville Jaguars' Blaine Gabbert (11) fumbles the ball as Carolina Panthers' Terrell McClain (97) defends during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. The Panthers were ruled offside on the play. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Captain Munnerlyn (41) breaks up a pass intended for Jacksonville Jaguars' Jason Hill (83) during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) scrambles as Jacksonville Jaguars' Jeremy Mincey (94) garbs his jersey during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Jacksonville Jaguars' Blaine Gabbert (11) throws a pass under pressure from the Carolina Panthers during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) is hit by Jacksonville Jaguars' Jeremy Mincey (94) and John Chick (97) during the second quarter of an NFL football game in the rain in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio looks on in the pouring rain during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams, right, sits on the bench with teammates in the pouring rain during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Carolina Panthers' Captain Munnerlyn (41) breaks up a pass intended for Jacksonville Jaguars' Jason Hill (83) during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Jacksonville Jaguars' Maurice Jones-Drew (32) outruns several Carolina Panthers players for a long gain during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Jacksonville Jaguars' Maurice Jones-Drew (32) is tackled by Carolina Panthers' Captain Munnerlyn (41) and Jason Williams (54) during the third quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Jacksonville Jaguars' Jason Hill (83) reaches in vain to catch a pass as Carolina Panthers' Darius Butler (27) defends during the third quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Jacksonville Jaguars' Blaine Gabbert (11) looks to pass against the Carolina Panthers during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams (34) runs against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the third quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Jacksonville Jaguars' Blaine Gabbert (11) throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers during the third quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Jacksonville Jaguars' Maurice Jones-Drew (32) runs for a long gain as Carolina Panthers' Captain Munnerlyn (41) defends during the third quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Olindo Mare (10) watches his field goal against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the third quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) throws a touchdown pass over Jacksonville Jaguars' Terrance Knighton (96) during the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 16-10 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Greg Olsen (88) runs in for the winning touchdown as Jacksonville Jaguars' Drew Coleman (30) defends during the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 16-10 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Carolina Panthers' Greg Olsen (88) celebrates his touchdown catch as Jacksonville Jaguars' Dwight Lowery (25) looks on during the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 16-10 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) celebrates his touchdown pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 16-10 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) and Greg Olsen (88) celebrate their touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 16-10 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Jacksonville Jaguars' Blaine Gabbert (11) throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 16-10 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) wavs to the crowd as he leaves the field after the Panthers' 16-10 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
