Breaking Down the Carolina Panthers' 2012 NFL Preseason Schedule

The Carolina Panthers get to start their preseason at the friendly confines of Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. The NFL released its 2012 preseason schedule on Wednesday and the Panthers play the Texans and Dolphins at home, then travel to play the Jets and Steelers.

The exact schedule for the preseason games hasn't been finalized yet, but Carolina does have one prime-time game already marked in pen. The Panthers' Week 3 game against the Jets will be Sunday, Aug. 26 on NBC.

Week 1—Houston, TBA

Week 2—Miami, TBA

Week 3—at New York Jets, Aug. 26, 8 p.m. ET (NBC)

Week 4—at Pittsburgh

What to Watch For

Carolina's run defense gave up 2,093 yards on the ground in 2011 and only three teams gave up more rushing touchdowns. With Houston's Arian Foster coming to town, the Panthers will get to see if any of their offseason additions will help bolster the 25th-ranked run defense.

When the NFL decided to match up Carolina and New York, I can't imagine a few of the schedule makers not drooling a bit over the possible Cam Newton versus Tim Tebow story line. Yes, I know, Mark Sanchez is the starter for the Jets. But I bet everyone at NBC is hoping that Newton and Tebow face off at least once.