Week 1 the Panthers travel to Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars. There is already a lot of hype for the potential matchup between top 10 picks Tetairoa McMillan and Travis Hunter. Panther and Jaguar fans are already going back and forth on X. The pair met twice in college. In 2023 McMillan pulled in 9 receptions for 107 yards and 1 touchdown. In 2024 Hunter held McMillan to 5 receptions for 38 yards. Will Hunter travel with Tmac and what will be his snap count across both offense and defense.

Take everything you remember about the thrilling last matchup between these division rivals and throw it out. Both sides were dealing with multiple injuries. Both teams made a focus on pass rush this offseason. Atlanta signing Leonard Floyd and drafting both Jalon Walker and James Pierce Jr in the first round. Carolina signed Tershawn Warton, Patrick Jones II and drafted Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen with back to back picks. Will Carolina's defense be able to slow Michael Penix down and how will the Panthers offense fare with what should be an upgraded Falcons defense? I can't wait to find out.

Week 6 is a rematch with the Cowboys from last years game at Bank of America Stadium. Redemption should definitely be on the minds of Panthers players especially Quarterback Bryce Young who threw 2 costly interceptions and fumbled twice. The Cowboys defense led by Micah Parsons tallied 6 sacks on a Panthers o-line that was missing right tackle Taylor Moton. Back up right tackle Yosh Nijman and left tackle Ikem Ekwonu both had a rough day against the Cowboys pass rush.

Carolina is back on the Primetime scene with a Monday Night matchup with the 49ers in week 12. The last meeting in 2022 was won by the 49ers 37-15. A few weeks later the Panthers traded Star RB Christian McCaffrey to San Francisco. Will CMC be the next in line of former Panther players who go off on their former team. Can the Panthers make a good enough showing in primetime to hopefully get more in 2026. Let's Hope so!!!