For the first time in some time, there's optimism around the Carolina Panthers and their chances in the NFC South. While there is not yet mobile North Carolina sports betting to put your futures down, it's likely just around the corner, so BetCarolina.com is helping you gear up for the season.
How so?
We created a point system to determine the toughest 3-game stretch of the Carolina Panthers 2023-24 schedule for the upcoming NFL season. For points, we awarded 1 to 4 points for each grouping of 8 teams in final standings from 2022-23 season (Chiefs = 4 pts, Bears = 1 pt), 2 points for an away game, 2 points for a short week (going into a Thursday night game or coming off Monday Night Football), 1 point for a divisional opponent and 1 point for a primetime game.
Read on to discover what stretch will most affect the Panthers playoff chances.
Toughest Stretch of Panthers Schedule Is...
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Panthers Opening Stretch Will Determine Season Success
There's good news and bad news from our finding for Panthers fans. The team's toughest stretch will come right at the beginning of the season with their first three games (at the Falcons, home vs. the Saints on "MNF" and at the Seahawks in Week 3).
The good news? Only one of those three teams actually made the playoffs last season (the 9-8 Seahawks) and none won their division. The rest of the home schedule for the season is also relatively favorable, with the lowly Texans and Colts, plus the rebuilding Bucs, all coming to Charlotte later in the season.
The bad news? This is an entire new coaching regime for the Panthers, and they're likely to be led by a rookie quarterback in Bryce Young. While there's plenty of promise behind Frank Reich and Young's college tape, it's hard to say whether this team will be ready to roll right out of the gate to start the season.
Last year's Panthers squad came out flat to start the year, and coach Matt Rhule was fired following the 1-4 start. For the team to get back on track this season and make Panthers Super Bowl odds interesting, they will need to handle their business in the first three games of the season.
