2009 Carolina Panthers Season In Preview

CHARLOTTE—After looking at the schedule of the Carolina Panthers this season, it's not going to be a very friendly one. The only team on this year’s list that had a losing record is Buffalo (7-9), and they aren’t going to be a pushover this year. The combined 2008 record of Carolina’s opponents is 123-84-1.

Yikes.

That’s the second-toughest schedule in the entire NFL, behind Miami. Four of Carolina’s opponents this year were first place finishers last year (New York Giants, Miami, Minnesota and Arizona).

One game fans should be excited about on this year’s schedule is Sept 28 at Dallas’ brand new stadium—it’s the only Monday night game.

There’s one Sunday night game (Minnesota, Dec. 20), and one Thursday night game (Miami, Nov. 19)—which means the team will stay on a pretty solid schedule for the season.

Shifting from Monday to Thursday to Sunday night many times during a season disrupts more than just an athlete’s rhythm. The problem with the Thursday night game is there’s a short turnaround from the previous Sunday game (vs. Atlanta).

Carolina only plays two consecutive road games this year, which bodes well for the team and the fans. Last year, the Panthers played four of their last six games of the season on the road. This year, the farthest Carolina will go is Arizona, and will play three out of their last five games at home.

Game-by-Game Breakdown

Sept. 13 (1:00pm): Philadelphia: McNabb and the Eagles will be a tough contest for the first game of the season. Good thing Vick is not in the lineup.

Sept. 20 (1:00pm): @Atlanta: Two teams picked to be atop the NFC South—it doesn’t get any better that this.

Sept. 28 (8:30pm): @Dallas: Are you ready for some football? Carolina’s only Monday night game will be a treat in the new Cowboys Stadium.

Oct. 4: BYE

Oct. 11 (1:00pm): Washington: The Redskins’ defense should be the only test in this game. The ‘Skins have been having trouble moving the ball offensively.

Oct. 18 (1:00pm): @Tampa Bay: The Panthers are looking for retribution for their most one-sided loss last season (27-3).

Oct. 25 (4:05pm): Buffalo: WR Terrell Owens will prove to be a matchup problem, but can Buffalo get him the ball?

Nov. 1 (4:15pm): @Arizona: QB Kurt Warner made Carolina look more like patsies than Panthers last season (601 yards, four TD passes in two games).

Nov. 8 (4:05pm): @New Orleans: RB’s Stewart and Williams should prove to be “double trouble” for a porous Saints run defense.

Nov. 15 (1:00pm): Atlanta: Grudge match against Atlanta will not leave much room for the Panthers to prepare for their Thursday night game against the Dolphins.

Nov. 19 (8:20pm): Miami: Quick turnaround will not make it easy for Carolina to finally beat the Dolphins. The Panthers have never beaten Miami (or Houston, if you’re wondering).

Nov. 29 (1:00pm): @New York Jets: Once again to the Meadowlands—this time, to face QB Mark Sanchez, who continues to look fairly sharp.

Dec. 6 (1:00pm): Tampa Bay: The Panthers were on the prowl last season against the Bucs at home, thrashing them on Monday night 38-23.

Dec. 13 (1:00pm): @New England: QB Tom Brady is looking to make a mark on this season, and Carolina will try to stop the Pats’ momentum.

Dec. 20 (8:20pm): Minnesota: This game will not be won through the air, but in the trenches—between the Vikes’ RB Adrian Peterson and Carolina’s Double Trouble (Stewart/Williams).

Dec. 27 (1:00pm): @New York Giants: Hooking up once more in Week 16, this will be a duel between QB Delhomme and New York’s QB Eli Manning. Go deep, young man.

Jan. 3 (1:00pm): New Orleans: Déjà vu? For the sixth time in Carolina franchise history, the Panthers end their regular season against the Saints.

For more detailed information, and where you can watch each of these games, visit the official Carolina Panthers' schedule page.