Carolina Panthers 2025 NFL schedule analysis

Last Wednesday, the NFL released its full 2025 schedule. For the Carolina Panthers' schedule, click here.

Below, we take a closer look at Carolina's fifth-easiest league schedule, including one date to circle, the toughest (and easiest) four-game stretch and a key takeaway.

Circle the date: Sept. 7 at Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 1) | Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence both need wins, but one is guaranteed to start the 2025 season with a loss.

Lawrence, the No. 1 pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, has missed the postseason in consecutive seasons after reaching the AFC divisional round in 2022.

Last season, the Jaguars went 2-8 in Lawrence's 10 starts before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery, and the 2022 Pro Bowler had his lowest completion percentage (60.6%) since his rookie campaign and averaged his fewest passing yards per game (204.5).

Meanwhile, Young found his footing mid-season after being benched in Week 3 and can't afford to hit another valley to start 2025.

Another subplot is at head coach, where former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinators Dave Canales and Liam Coen will match wits.

Canales is entering his second season as Panthers head coach after spending the 2023 season as Bucs OC. The Jaguars hired Coen as their head coach in January after he called Tampa Bay's fourth-ranked offense.

Toughest stretch: Weeks 6-9 | The last time Carolina hosted the Dallas Cowboys, its Week 6 opponent, "America's Team" handily won, 30-14. That was in December, when the Cowboys were 5-8 and was starting Cooper Rush at quarterback.

With Dak Prescott returning from injury and wide receiver George Pickens potentially unlocking another dimension to the Cowboys offense, they could be a significantly better team than the one that defeated Carolina by two possessions in 2024.

A trip to New York versus the Jets follows in Week 7 — the easiest game of the stretch — followed by a double-whammy. In Week 8, the Panthers host the Buffalo Bills, who should, once again, be one of the AFC's best teams. Carolina then plays the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, where it's 2-5 all-time and hasn't won since 2008. (h/t Stathead)

Easiest stretch: Weeks 1-4 | Despite a road-heavy beginning to the season, the Panthers have a chance to get off to a strong start with their first seven games against 2024 non-playoff teams. 

Three of their first four games coming away from home, including Weeks 1 (Jags) and 2 (Arizona Cardinals). Carolina also hosts its division-rival Atlanta Falcons, who've it split the season-series with the past five seasons, and travels to Foxboro to play the New England Patriots. 

While we expect each of those four teams to be better than they were in 2024, the Panthers should be improved, too. This could be their chance to prove they aren't the same hapless squad we've seen in recent seasons.

Main takeaway: So you're saying there's a chance ... | The Panthers have a somewhat favorable schedule toward the end of the season. They only have two road games after Week 12, including one against the New Orleans Saints, who could be among the league's worst teams, following a Week 14 bye. But Carolina's biggest advantage could come from playing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers twice in the final three weeks.

If the Panthers surpass expectations, those games might be important to the division standings. It's a long shot, but it at least gives Carolina a chance.