The Carolina Panthers are in a tough spot after posting the worst record in the NFL last season at 2-15. They did not pick first overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, either, after dealing the No. 1 pick to the Chicago Bears in a trade up to take Bryce Young first in 2023.
With new head coach Dave Canales at the helm, Carolina is aiming for a rebound in 2024.
Let’s take a look at the Panthers’ schedule for the 2024 NFL season, where their strength of schedule (SOS) ranks, our record prediction, and preview their matchups of the season.
Carolina Panthers’ Schedule and Opponents
The complete 2024 NFL schedule was released on May 15 at 8 p.m. ET, and we have it in the table below (which is best viewed in landscape mode).
Panthers’ Strength of Schedule
One upside for the Panthers heading into 2024 is that they will have the league’s fourth-easiest strength of schedule, according to PFN’s in-house metric.
Not only does Carolina have a last-place schedule, but it also competes in arguably the weakest division in the NFL.
Although they project to finish last once again, the Panthers’ NFC South rivals in the Falcons, Saints, and Buccaneers each have their own major question marks for 2024.
Including two games against the Buccaneers, the Panthers have just five matchups against playoff teams from last season, including just one on the road.
Panthers Record Prediction: 5-12
The Panthers’ 2024 win total is set at 4.5 by DraftKings Sportsbook, tied for the lowest in the NFL alongside the New England Patriots.
Coming close to or even exceeding that threshold could come as a natural product of simply regressing to the mean after a 2023 season in which little could go right for Carolina.
The franchise’s intriguing set of additions to bolster the offense around Young could make a key difference as well.
The Panthers drafted offensive skill position players with three of their first four draft picks, including wide receiver Xavier Legette, running back Jonathon Brooks, and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders.
KEEP READING: Grading the Panthers’ 2024 NFL Draft Picks
Carolina also traded for Diontae Johnson and added some offensive line help in free agency, with Robert Hunt signing a lucrative deal and Damien Lewis joining the fray, as well.
Xavier Legette boasts a rare size-speed profile and tremendous upside. 🚀#KeepPounding | #SpursUp pic.twitter.com/SEcRIJjKC6
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) April 26, 2024
Whether the division remains as weak this year remains to be seen.
But Carolina has certainly made some offseason additions that provide at least some optimism for improvement in 2024.
Prime-Time Games
The Panthers have zero prime-time games in 2024 — the only team in the NFL without a prime-time slot. Coming off of a league-worst two wins last season, it makes sense that Carolina didn’t get any prime-time love.
When Is Carolina’s Bye Week?
The Panthers’ bye is in Week 11. They will have two weeks to prepare for their Week 12 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Biggest Matchups of the Year
Carolina’s divisional matchups will, of course, remain crucial given the expected weakness of the NFC South once again, but there are several other contests that will be key in determining its ceiling.
Home games against the Chiefs and Cowboys, alongside a road matchup with the Eagles, look to be three of the toughest games of the season, and stealing a win in one of those could really boost the Panthers’ upside.
As part of a last-place schedule, the Panthers will face both of 2024's top draft picks this fall, playing on the road against the Bears (Caleb Williams) and Commanders (Jayden Daniels).
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) April 26, 2024
Making the most of home contests against the Giants, Chargers, and Cardinals — three teams that struggled in 2023 — will also be key to Carolina’s hopes of improvement.
Whether the Panthers are ultimately able to field a significantly more competitive group in 2024, however, remains to be seen.
Check out PFN’s coverage of the NFL schedule release, including the full week-by-week schedule, a breakdown of how the NFL schedule is made, top revenge games of 2024, strength of schedule rankings, our ranking of this year’s international games, and more!