Sir Purr
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- Mar 16, 2019
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Week 11: vs. Lions (3-12-1, 4th place NFC North) | 1:00 p.m.
All-time record: 6-3 | Last matchup: Lions won 20-19 in Nov. 2018
Detroit comes to town for the Panthers' only two-game home stretch of the season. The Lions will play at Bank of America Stadium for the sixth time, with the last meeting a 24-7 Panthers' win in 2014. Carolina lost to Detroit in November 2018, when a two-point conversion attempt to take a late lead failed. The Lions looked to improve their defense this offseason by adding linebacker Jamie Collins and cornerback Desmond Trufant in free agency and using their fourth overall pick in the NFL Draft on cornerback Jeff Okudah.
Week 12: at Vikings (10-6, 2nd place NFC North) | 1:00 p.m.
All-time record: 6-8 | Last matchup: Panthers won 31-24 in Dec. 2017
The Panthers will make their first trip to U.S. Bank Stadium, which opened in 2016. Minnesota traded star receiver Stefon Diggs to Buffalo this offseason before selecting LSU wideout Justin Jefferson to pair with Adam Thielen and quarterback Kirk Cousins. The last time these two teams played, the Panthers held off a Vikings' comeback attempt with running back Jonathan Stewart's 1-yard touchdown run with 1:50 left.
Week 13: Bye
Week 14: vs. Broncos (7-9, 2nd place AFC West) | 1:00 p.m.
All-time record: 1-4 | Last matchup: Broncos won 21-20 in Sept. 2016
The Panthers will be back at home after their late bye week to take on the Broncos, who have made significant strides in surrounding young quarterback Drew Lock with offensive talent. Denver signed former Chargers running back Melvin Gordon in free agency, then selected wide receiver Jerry Jeudy out of Alabama and wide receiver K.J. Hamler out of Penn State in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft. Those additions supplement young talents in wide receiver Courtland Sutton and tight end Noah Fant. The Panthers' only win over the Broncos came in 2008 when wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. caught nine passes for 165 yards and a touchdown in a 30-10 victory at Bank of America Stadium.
Week 15: at Packers (13-3, 1st place NFC North) | TBD
All-time record: 6-9 | Last matchup: Packers won 24-16 in Nov. 2019
After a snowy contest that went down to the wire in 2019, the Panthers are likely to see the white stuff again with a mid-December matchup at Lambeau Field. This contest is part of a multi-game Saturday pool, which means the exact date and kickoff time will be announced at a later date. Last year, the NFL held a Saturday triple-header for Week 16, with games starting at 1:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. If the Panthers do not play on Saturday, Dec. 19, the game will be on Sunday, Dec. 20.
Week 16: at Washington (3-13, 4th place NFC East) | 1:00 p.m.
All-time record: 6-9 | Last matchup: Washington won 29-21 in Dec. 2019
Carolina will play Washington for the third year in a row, this time with former head coach Ron Rivera now leading the NFC East opponent. Last year, the Panthers fell 29-21 in Rivera's final game after eight-plus seasons with the franchise. While Carolina has lost the last two head-to-head matchups, the Panthers won five straight from 2009-2016.
Week 17: vs. Saints (13-3, 1st place NFC South) | 1:00 p.m.
All-time record: 25-25 | Last home matchup: Saints won 42-10 in Dec. 2019
The Panthers will finish the regular season against the Saints at Bank of America Stadium for the second straight year. It's also the 11th season-ender all-time with New Orleans, the most against any opponent. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater played 11 snaps in last season's finale for New Orleans, completing one pass for 14 yards. The Panthers last beat the Saints at home in 2016, when Carolina held off a fourth-quarter comeback on Thursday Night Football to come away with a 23-20 win.