4 of 5 - Home games to start season
The Panthers open the season at home for the fifth-straight season, this year hosting the Browns in Week 1. Carolina will play four of its first five games at home to start the season. This is the first time that the Panthers have only had one road game in the first five weeks.
Tough October
Last season, the Panthers had to contend with a difficult stretch of games to end the season. This year, that stretch comes in October when Carolina faces four 2021 playoff teams in five games (vs. Arizona, vs. San Francisco, at Los Angeles, vs. Tampa Bay). They then open November at Cincinnati, the reigning AFC champions.
4 - O'Clock starts
Carolina has four games currently slated to start in the 4 p.m. afternoon time slot, including two at home against Arizona (Week 4) and San Francisco (Week 5). The 2015 season was the last time Carolina played four games in the late afternoon slot, and three of those were on the road.
.517 - Carolina's strength of schedule in 2022
Panthers opponents went 147-140-2 in 2021, giving Carolina a strength of schedule rating of .517. That ties for the 12th-hardest schedule among teams heading into 2022.
The NFC South as a whole faces a tough draw with Tampa Bay (4th-hardest), New Orleans (7th-hardest) and Atlanta (9th-hardest) all in the top 10.
9 - Home games
After the NFL expanded to 17 games in 2021, the Panthers will get their first taste of a nine-game home slate this year. The extra game will be against Denver on Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 27).
Late Bye
Carolina's bye week once again falls in the month of December. It's the third-straight year where the Panthers have had a bye in Week 13, the latest they had ever had one prior to 2020.
7 - Outside to inside
Since the NFL moved to a 14-team playoff format in 2020, seven teams have gone from outside the playoffs to inside in the following season in both 2020 and 2021.
Holiday Games
Carolina will conclude the home schedule on Christmas Eve against Detroit, and play at Tampa Bay on New Year's Day. The Panthers are 3-4 all-time on Christmas Eve and 1-2 on New Year's Day.
Watch the NFL Network's schedule release show at 8 p.m. for coverage from around the league.
View photos from the last time Carolina played each of this season's opponents.
Week 1 vs. Cleveland Browns
Carolina is 4-2 all-time against the Browns including 2-0 at home. The last home game was in 2014, a 17-13 win.
Week 2 at New York Giants
Carolina is 7-5 all-time against the Giants, including 4-4 on the road. The last road game was in 2021, a 25-3 loss.
Week 3 vs. New Orleans Saints
Carolina is 26-29 all-time against the Saints, including 13-14 at home. The last home game was in 2021, a 26-7 win.
Week 4 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Carolina is 14-5 all-time against the Cardinals, including 8-3 at home. The last home game was in 2020, a 31-21 win.
Week 5 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Carolina is 13-9 all-time against the 49ers, including 6-5 at home. The last home game was in 2016, a 46-27 win.
Week 6 at Los Angeles Rams
Carolina is 13-9 all-time against the Rams, including 7-4 on the road. The last time Carolina played at Los Angeles was in 2016, winning 13-10.
Week 7 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Carolina is 24-19 all-time against the Buccaneers, including 12-10 at home. The last home game was in 2021, a 32-6 loss.
Week 8 at Atlanta Falcons
Carolina is 20-34 all-time against the Falcons, including 8-19 on the road. The last time Carolina played at Atlanta was in 2021, winning 19-13.
Week 9 at Cincinnati Bengals
Carolina is 3-2-1 all-time against the Bengals, including 0-1-1 on the road. The last time Carolina played at Cincinnati was in 2014, tying 37-37.
Week 10 vs. Atlanta Falcons (Thursday Night)
Carolina is 20-34 all-time against the Falcons, including 12-15 at home. The last home game was in 2021, a 21-29 loss.
Week 11 at Baltimore Ravens
Carolina are 4-2 all-time against the Ravens, including 1-1 on the road. The last time Carolina played at Baltimore was in 2014, losing 38-10.
Week 12 vs. Denver Broncos
Carolina is 1-6 all-time against the Broncos, including 1-2 at home. The last home game was in 2020, a 32-27 loss.
Week 14 at Seattle Seahawks
Carolina is 4-10 all-time against the Seahawks, including 1-5 on the road. The last time Carolina played at Seattle was in 2016, losing 40-7.
Week 15 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Carolina is 1-6 all-time against the Steelers, including 1-2 at home. The last home game was in 2015, a 37-19 loss.
Week 16 vs. Detroit Lions
Carolina is 7-3 all-time against the Lions, including 5-1 at home. The last home game was in 2020, a 20-0 win.
Week 17 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Carolina is 24-19 all-time against the Buccaneers, including 12-9 on the road. The last time Carolina played at Tampa Bay was in January 2022, losing 41-17.
Week 18 at New Orleans Saints
Carolina is 26-29 all-time against the Saints, including 13-15 on the road. The last time Carolina played at New Orleans was in January 2022, losing 18-10.
