From Ron Rivera to the Super Bowl champs: Breaking down the Panthers’ 2020 opponents

Despite all the uncertainty surrounding sports due to the limitations created by the coronavirus pandemic, the NFL offseason has continued on in efforts to prepare for the fall. That will continue this week as the league reveals the first look at the upcoming season.

The NFL will unveil its 2020 schedule at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Each team’s 2020 opponents were set at the conclusion of the 2019 regular season. The league is considering all possibilities related to the start and planning of the season and there is a chance that some division games will be scheduled later in the year in case the season needs to be pushed back or shortened. Earlier this week, the NFL announced that all international games would be relocated back to the United States in 2020.

If the Panthers do indeed play all 16 games, they have quite a slate in store for Matt Rhule’s first season as head coach, including matchups with some very familiar faces and new division foes. Here is a look at Carolina’s opponents this fall.

Atlanta Falcons (home and away)

Record in 2019: 7-9

Head coach: Dan Quinn

  • The Falcons didn’t make any dramatic offseason moves, but did change a few of their offensive weapons, including trading with the Ravens for tight end Hayden Hurst as Austin Hooper signed with the Browns in free agency. They also signed running back Todd Gurley to a one-year deal after the Rams released him from his four-year, $60 million contract. His health remains a big question. Other than that, Atlanta has remained consistent from last season. Coach Dan Quinn retained his job after turning a 1-7 start into a 7-9 record at season’s end end.

  • The Panthers have lost each of their last five games against the Falcons, including both last season by 20-plus points.

New Orleans Saints (home and away)

Record in 2019: 13-3 (lost in wild-card round)

Head coach: Sean Payton

  • In case you haven’t heard, the Saints’ former backup quarterback is now starting for the Panthers. But outside of Teddy Bridgewater having the opportunity to face two of his former teams over the course of the 2020 season, there will also be the wrinkle of how much offensive coordinator Joe Brady’s play-calling mimics what the Saints have done in the past. Brady knows the Saints’ offense and they know him from his two years as an offensive assistant. Former Saints wide receiver Keith Kirkwood has also joined the Panthers.

  • One of the Saints’ biggest additions this offseason was adding wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders as another weapon for Drew Brees.

  • Despite a close game in New Orleans last season, the Panthers have lost six of their last seven games against the Saints, including the postseason.

Carolina Panthers defensive end Mario Addison, left, pressures New Orleans Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, right, during first quarter action at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. on Sunday, December 30, 2018.
Carolina Panthers defensive end Mario Addison, left, pressures New Orleans Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, right, during first quarter action at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. on Sunday, December 30, 2018.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (home and away)

Record in 2019: 7-9

Head coach: Bruce Arians

  • Quiet offseason for the Bucs? Not exactly. The Buccaneers were the flashiest team of the offseason making some historic acquisitions. Landing Tom Brady was the first domino, and trading for previously retired tight end Rob Gronkowski followed. They also notably signed defensive end Ndamukong Suh and brought back Jason Pierre-Paul. With Jameis Winston now a back-up in New Orleans and Brady leading the way, this is a completely different Tampa Bay team that will present quite the challenge for Carolina.

  • The Panthers have split the series the past couple years, but that will be a tough task in 2020. Brady is just 3-3 against Carolina all-time, but that does include a Super Bowl.

Chicago Bears (home)

Record in 2019: 8-8

Head coach: Matt Nagy

After a disappointing season in 2019, the Bears haven’t made any significant changes over the offseason. Their biggest move was trading with the Jaguars for Nick Foles, who will compete with former UNC quarterback Mitch Trubisky for the starting role. It will be interesting to see if Trubisky gets the opportunity to start in Charlotte.

Chicago added several other veteran players this offseason, including cornerback Artie Burns, former Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., pass rusher Robert Quinn and safety Tashaun Gipson.

Detroit Lions (home)

Record in 2019: 3-12-1

Head coach: Matt Patricia

The Lions had a busy free-agency period, signing even more former Patriots, including linebacker Jamie Collins.

Matthew Stafford’s health will be important to keep an eye on, but an interesting twist in this game could be how much of a role their respective 2020 first-round draft picks play. The Lions were interested in drafting Derrick Brown with the third overall pick, but went with cornerback Jeff Okudah from Ohio State instead, leaving the Auburn defensive tackle to drop to the Panthers at No. 7.

Minnesota Vikings (away)

Record in 2019: 10-6 (Lost in Divisional Round)

Head coach: Mike Zimmer

The Panthers’ trip to Minneapolis will be quite the homecoming for Bridgewater, who the Vikings selected with the 32nd overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft and eventually moved on from after a devastating knee injury in 2016. It will be the first time he takes the field against his former team.

Outside of Bridgewater’s return, this will be a tough game for the Panthers on the road. While the Vikings traded away wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Bills, the Kirk Cousins-led offense still has plenty of weapons in running back Dalvin Cook, wide receiver Adam Thielen and tight end Kyle Rudolph, despite offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski leaving to take the head coaching job with the Browns.

Another story line to watch? The Vikings drafted Baylor defensive lineman James Lynch in the fourth round last month. He was well-liked by Rhule and one of the Bears’ stars .

Carolina Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen walks to the team’s sideline during fourth quarter action against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, November 10, 2019. The Packers defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-16 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen walks to the team’s sideline during fourth quarter action against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, November 10, 2019. The Packers defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-16 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI.

Green Bay Packers (away)

Record in 2019: 13-3 (Lost in NFC Championship)

Head coach: Matt LaFleur

The Panthers were that close to winning last season’s matchup in Green Bay. It’s not going to be easy to forget about that snowy, one-score loss that ended with Christian McCaffrey coming up just short of the goal line.

But Carolina will get a chance to play again at Lambeau Field in 2020, somewhere it hasn’t won since 2008. Much more has changed for the Panthers than the Packers this offseason (outside of Green Bay drafting quarterback Jordan Love in the first round).

Denver Broncos (home)

Record in 2019: 7-9

Head coach: Vic Fangio

The Broncos’ recent history with the Panthers hasn’t been great on Carolina’s side of things. In fact, the Panthers only have one win in the teams’ six all-time meetings, including Super Bowl 50.

This is a different Denver team than Carolina has ever gone against with Drew Lock taking over at quarterback. This offseason, the Broncos added running back Melvin Gordon and traded for cornerback A.J. Bouye.

Las Vegas Raiders (home)

Record in 2019: 7-9

Head coach: Jon Gruden

Yes. Las Vegas. It’s weird to read.

The Raiders made multiple interesting acquisitions during the offseason, including signing quarterback Marcus Mariota, tight end Jason Witten, linebacker Cory Littleton and wide receiver Nelson Agholor. They are trying to make a splash in their first season in their new city.

Carolina will have to wait some time before actually playing in Vegas, but whichever team wins this game will have an edge in the series. They’re currently tied 3-3.

Kansas City Chiefs (away)

Record in 2019: 12-4 (Won Super Bowl)

Head coach: Andy Reid

Hello, Patrick Mahomes. The Panthers will get their first up-front look against the reigning NFL MVP in 2020 and a chance to play the Super Bowl champions.

The Chiefs haven’t made a lot of changes this offseason, and they haven’t needed to. This is largely the same team that beat the 49ers in Miami and is set up to be one of the Panthers’ biggest road challenges this season.

Los Angeles Chargers (away)

Record in 2019: 5-11

Head coach: Anthony Lynn

If it is completed on time, the Panthers will have an opportunity to play in SoFi Stadium during its inaugural season. The shared stadium between the Rams and Chargers is scheduled to open for the start of the season.

The Panthers will go up against a familiar face in guard Trai Turner; Carolina traded him to the Chargers in exchange for left tackle Russell Okung. On top of the Turner/Okung trade, the Panthers added Chargers offensive line coach Pat Meyer in the offseason and just signed former Chargers free agent guard Michael Schofield. Despite links to Cam Newton, the Panthers are set up to either face Tyrod Taylor or rookie Justin Herbert when they head out west.

Arizona Cardinals (home)

Record in 2019: 5-10-1

Head coach: Kliff Kingsbury

The Panthers are going to get another chance to stack together wins against the Cardinals after their 38-20 victory in Arizona last year. That was also one of Kyle Allen’s best games as the Panthers’ starter. They have won four straight matchups against the Cardinals, including the postseason.

Similar to the game against the Lions, this will be the first time the Panthers will face linebacker Isaiah Simmons after taking Brown instead of the Clemson defender in the first round. Arizona selected him one pick later.

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera walks off the field following the teams 29-21 loss to Washington on Sunday, December 1, 2019 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera walks off the field following the teams 29-21 loss to Washington on Sunday, December 1, 2019 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.

Washington (away)

Record in 2019: 3-13

Head coach: Ron Rivera

Well, this one will be … something. It will be the first time Rivera (and the majority Panthers coaching staff he took with him) will be facing his former team. This will be the third straight season these teams have met with Washington winning the previous two matchups. (Rivera was fired after Carolina lost to Washington last season.) They are also scheduled to meet in Charlotte in 2021.

Thomas Davis and Allen are also in Washington now and will get an opportunity to face their former team. The lead up to this will be all about the “revenge” game.

Single-game tickets will go on sale at 8 p.m. Thursday on ticketmaster.com and panthers.com/tickets. If a game is canceled and cannot be replayed, or is played without fans in attendance, automatic refunds for the full amount of the tickets will be provided by the NFL’s primary and secondary channels within 30 days.