Five things to know about Panthers' 2016 schedule

1. PANTHERS GET PLENTY OF PRIMETIME The initial reaction to Carolina’s 2016 schedule is of course the opener at Denver, creating an enticing Super Bowl 50 rematch to kick off the new season. The Panthers’ next primetime game is Monday Night Football in Week 5 against division rival Tampa Bay at Bank of America Stadium. Carolina will host New Orleans for Thursday Night Football in Week 11. Two weeks later, the Panthers travel to Seattle for Sunday Night Football. Two weeks after that, Carolina travels to Washington for a second Monday Night Football appearance. 2. BYE IN WEEK 7 Carolina’s Week 7 bye falls at a nice time – not too early and not too late. The off week comes on the heels of three consecutive division games (at Atlanta, vs. Tampa Bay and at New Orleans). Last year, the Panthers’ bye week came in Week 5. The year before, it didn’t come until Week 12. 3. NFC CHAMPIONSHIP REMATCH Following the bye week, the Panthers and Cardinals will meet in Charlotte for an NFC title game rematch. Carolina knocked Arizona out of the postseason each of the last two years, and last season’s stunning 49-15 blowout will no doubt be on the mind of the Cardinals. 4. MIDSEASON TRIP TO LOS ANGELES The Rams are back in Los Angeles, and the Panthers will play a game there for the first time in franchise history. In Week 9, Carolina visits the Memorial Coliseum – home of the USC Trojans and the Rams' temporary home. 5. BACK-TO-BACK OUT WEST There’s only one pair of back-to-back road games on the schedule, and they take place out west. The Panthers will visit Oakland in Week 12 and then turn around and play at Seattle in Week 13.