CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers had a great 2015 season and they were rewarded with five prime-time, nationally televised games during the 2016 regular season.
The Panthers rolled through the regular season with a 15-1 record and kept pounding all the way to the Superbowl, where they came up short against the Denver Broncos.
One of the perks of their success is increased visibility on the national level. The better teams get to play in the nationally televised games on Sunday, Monday, and Thursday nights.
It wasn’t long ago that the Jimmy Clausen led Panthers were the doormat of the NFL so, for everyone involved, the current atmosphere is exciting.
The Panthers open the season on September 8th, with a Thursday night game at the Broncos in Denver in a Superbowl rematch. Carolina should have plenty of motivation to prove that they are better than their Superbowl 50 showing.
Carolina hosts Tampa Bay on October 10th, for a Monday Night affair. Offensive Rookie of the Year Jameis Winston will lead the Bucs against fellow number one overall pick Cam Newton and the Panthers at Bank Of America Stadium, where the Panthers did not lose in 2015.
The division rival New Orleans Saints come to town on Thursday, November 17th for a mid season showdown that could have playoff implications. No one knows how much longer Drew Brees will be the Quarterback of the Saints, so every contest between these two teams is special.
The Panthers travel to Seattle on December 4th for a Sunday Night tilt with the Seahawks, their cross country rivals. This will be the seventh game between the teams since Cam Newton was drafted, with Carolina winning most recently 31-24 in the 2016 NFC Divisional Playoff Game. The teams have become very familiar with one another and this game has become an entertaining annual showdown.
Carolina travels to Washington for a Monday Night battle with the Redskins on December 19th. Carolina fully dismantled the Redskins last season in Charlotte, winning 44-16. Washington is a team on the move however, and will certainly want to prove their worth on the Monday Night Football stage.
The Panthers will be the prohibitive favorites to win the NFC again in 2016. They return the majority of their core players on both sides of the ball, and should be boosted by the return of standout wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin.
Carolina thoroughly embraced the spotlight last season and became fan favorites while doing so. The Panthers will have the opportunity to prove that the 2015 season was not a fluke, and they will get to do it in prime time, with everyone watching on at least five occasions in 2016.
