The NFL released the 2023 schedule Thursday Night, and Carolina Panthers fans can start to circle their must-watch games as it features two primetime battles. With a new era underway for the Panthers, players and coaches can now look toward their goals with a concrete schedule to plan around.
Carolina Panthers Top 5 Must-Watch Games
Monday Night Homecoming
For the first time since 2018, the Carolina Panthers will be featured on Monday Night Football. To go along with the primetime appearance, Bryce Young will make his expected first home start under the lights in Week 2 and will be a must-watch game for Panthers fans to see their new quarterback. All eyes will be on Carolina to begin the season strong, as their matchup against the New Orleans Saints will be their second of two divisional matchups to start the year. With only two primetime games in 2023, the Sept. 18 matchup will weigh heavily for more primetime games in the future.
Familiar Faces in the Windy City
The second primetime game of the season comes on Thursday Night Football later in the season in Week 10. With at least half the season over, the offseason trade with the Chicago Bears will start to show its result. Both teams are looking to build toward the future, and if Carolina can get to Week 10 with a better record than Chicago, it’ll be considered a victory for the Panthers front office. Former Panthers wide receiver DJ Moore will look to prove a point against his former team after being included in the trade so that Carolina could move to the No. 1 spot in the NFL Draft. That pick was used on Carolina’s future in Young, who’ll go toe-to-toe against another NFL young talent in Bears quarterback Justin Fields.
No. 1 vs No. 2
Young’s lifelong friend C.J. Stroud, was selected No. 2 in the NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. In Week 8, friends will turn into foes in a matchup between the No. 1 and No. 2 picks in the NFL Draft. The two best quarterback prospects will display their talents to the teams that scouted both players the most. As the 2022 season was ending, the Texans were the favorite to draft Young, but an unexpected victory in Week 18 changed the futures of Houston and Carolina. This will be a must-watch game for Panthers fans and the NFL, as they’ll get to see the future of their league.
#1 pick takes on the #2 pick in Week 8🍿
📺: 2023 NFL Schedule Release on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/VvyeIDY7hd
— NFL (@NFL) May 12, 2023
Head Coach Revenge Game
After being fired by the Indianapolis Colts in 2022, new Panthers head coach Frank Reich will get his chance for revenge in Week 9. Reich was with the Colts for four seasons and finished with a 41-40-1 record. With Reich facing his old team, the Panthers will get their first matchup against the Colts fourth-overall pick Anthony Richardson. Panthers fans will get flashbacks to the days of Cam Newton as Richardson has been compared to the 2015 MVP.
The Boys Come to Charlotte
The Dallas Cowboys will take a trip to Carolina in Week 11 as they’ll play in front of Panthers fans for the first time since 2018. This’ll be a true test for a young Panthers team, as the Cowboys are the toughest opponent on the 2023 schedule and are expected to make another playoff appearance this season. Dallas will bring its brutal pass rush and secondary, as it’ll be as challenging as it gets for Young in the NFL.
Main Photo: Jim Dedmon – USA Today Sports
