2009-2010 Carolina Panthers Complete Schedule Breakdown

For Panthers fans this season, most of us would rather watch a Lions preseason game than glance over Carolina's schedule.

The easiest team on the rundown is Buffalo, who was 7-9 last season. Besides that, every single opponent was at or above .500 in '08-'09. The two divisions played are the NFC East and AFC East, and then you have to add in additional NFC foes Minnesota and Arizona.

The truth is, the schedule is the hardest of any team in years. And it's up to the Panthers to handle it.

However, I'm not backing down just yet. I know the list is puke-provoking, but someone has to preview it!

Schedule Part One - Super Bowl Preview 3X

Week One - vs. Philadelphia Eagles

One thing we know: The Panthers won't have to wait long to find out how good they really are. The first tough test comes in Week One!

It should be a difficult game for both teams in Bank of America Stadium, and also the first real look at how Vick will work with Philly. Expect a closely contested game with the Birds ending up on top.

Predicted Score: Eagles 24, Panthers 20 (0-1)

Week Two - @ Atlanta Falcons

Following a close loss the previous Sunday, Carolina will head a little south for another very hard game that has a lot of early playoff implications in it, too.

Atlanta's offense should be fired up and ready to go, and that (in the end) will be the factor that hands the Panthers another "L".

Predicted Score: Falcons 30, Panthers 17 (0-2)

Week Three - @ Dallas Cowboys

Even after two straight losses against elite teams, the schedule doesn't cool down until the week after this. This matchup features two above-average teams battling a close game in the new, non-punt friendly Cowboys stadium.

It will likely be a back-and-forth ball game, but expect the Panthers to come through, driven by several rushing TDs from you-know-who and you-know-who.

Predicted Score: Panthers 21, Cowboys 20 (1-2)

Schedule Part Two - Rest Month

Week Four - Bye

Week Five - vs. Washington Redskins

The matchups finally give some lenience starting in Week Four, and then the Panthers stay at home to face the Redskins in what should be a very low-scoring affair.

It seems likely it will be a battle of two sub-par units when the Washington offense is out there, but I think the Carolina rushing game can overpower the overhauled Redskin defense to earn themselves an easier-than-average victory and level the record at 2-2.

Predicted Score: Panthers 17, Redskins 7 (2-2)

Week Six - @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Although most would mark this as a fairly easy win on paper, it is a division matchup and a tough road location, as well.

However, I still think that the Cats can do it. Look possibly for a big day from the passing game while the focus remains on the ever-ready rushing attack.

Predicted Score: Panthers 24, Buccaneers 16 (3-2)

Week Seven - vs. Buffalo Bills

In Week Seven, we stay in familiar territory accompanied by the northern Buffalo Bills. The Bills bring with them an always-interesting face in Terrell Owens, and it may end up that his play will determine the game.

However, when you pick a player to take the team on his shoulders and ride you to victory, TO isn't usually the one that comes to mind. Should be a pretty easy win for the Panthers.

Predicted Score:  Panthers 27, Bills 10 (4-2)

Schedule Part Three - Heating Up

Week Eight - @ Arizona Cardinals

This game could turn out to be the game of the season for the Panthers. A win would be huge, but a loss could knock them out of playoff contention.

The points may be flying, and Fitz and Boldin should have their share of yards. Watch out for a tough loss in this one.

Predicted Score: Cardinals 30, Panthers 27 (4-3)

Week Nine - @ New Orleans Saints

In almost a duplicate of the Week Eight matchup, the Panthers are once again on the road against a team that can certainly put up the points.

Drew Brees should be fired up for this one, and I have a feeling that it could be a big day for Thomas and Bush in the backfield for the Saints, too.

Predicted Score: Saints 35, Panthers 24 (4-4)

Week Ten - vs. Atlanta Falcons

The Cats will finally get to head home, but that doesn't mean the game will be any easier. The opponent this time will be the Falcons, who should already have a couple game lead on the division title.

However, I think the Panthers will be emotionally pumped and will play one of the best games of the season in this one. Although it'll be close, John Kasay can get it done in the final seconds once again in this shocking upset.

Predicted Score: Panthers 27, Falcons 24 (5-4)

Schedule Part Four - Calm Before the Storm

Week Eleven - vs. Miami Dolphins

They may be easier than the previous run, but Miami is by no means a pushover. On the other hand, though, they should end up as a win.

I'll say that this is the defense's night, and that Carolina will come out with a low-scoring (yet important) win.

Predicted Score: Panthers 13, Dolphins 7 (6-4)

Week Twelve - @ New York Jets

In Week Twelve, we finish off our NFC East back-to-back with a road game at the Meadowlands.

The Jets may come into the game with a worn-out lighter, after trying to catch Sanchez on fire game after game. That may allow the Panthers to come away with a slim victory.

Predicted Score: Panthers 20, Jets 14 (7-4)

Week Thirteen - vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Easy win on paper, huh?!

Not so much. This could be the real heartbreaker trap game for the Panthers: they were 7-4 and right in the middle of the playoff race when they suffer a crushing blow to the Bucs right before a brutal late-season schedule.

Predicted Score: Buccaneers 27, Panthers 20 (7-5)

Schedule Part Five - Run For Your Life

Week Fourteen - @ New England Patriots

This is when it gets ugly. A road date versus the Patriots is not what you want to hear, especially when you need a win.

Look at it this way: Both teams have great running games....and only one team has a passing game. This could turn out to be a big-time, old-fashioned whoppin'.

Predicted Score: Patriots 34, Panthers 9 (7-6)

Week Fifteen - vs. Minnesota Vikings

At this point, a win here would be essential to keep any playoff chance the Cats have left. The home crowd will be cheering them on, but in the end, I can't see our defense holding up as well as the Vikings to keep our hopes alive.

Predicted Score: Vikings 23, Panthers 17 (7-7)

Week Sixteen - @ New York Giants

The Panthers will return to the Meadowlands for the second time in two months to face the harder of the stadium's residents, the New York Giants.

By now, there won't be much left to hope for, and the Giants should have a field day with their cheese shredder.

Predicted Score: Giants 24, Panthers 12 (7-8)

Week Seventeen - vs. New Orleans Saints

The finale will come down to a battle to the finish. The Panthers will be long gone from the playoff race, but the Saints will be right in the mix. However, I think we may just have one last word to say in 2009-2010 to our divisional foe.

Carolina wins in a massive shootout.

Predicted Score: Panthers 35, Saints 33 (8-8)

Final Projected Record: 8-8

Division Finish: Third

Playoff Seed: none...

Number of Times I fainted writing this article: 381