Most important part of our schedule

[2jakefansinva]

The Panthers must come out of the gates quick. We have 12 games vs. the NFC and 8 of them are in our first 9 games with 5 of them being on the road. Our first 3 division games are on the road also. If the Panthers are able to surive the first 10 weeks (bye wk. included) we should be able to post a nice record. For those on this board who don't think "Must Win games" come in the first half of the season might want to rethink that this year. It looks like the Panthers first 10 weeks will define this season.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

I think that first game vs the Eagles will be a good gauge of how our team looks and how the season will go.

[uscchris]

I agree with both posts above...if we don't come out swinging we could find ourselves behind the 8-ball quickly. A solid Eagles team that has given us trouble in the past will definitely be a good indicator if we are ready to hang with some of the other difficult teams early on in our schedule.

[rayzor]

no kidding. as fierce as this schedule is and how long they are going to have to go without a break...they are going to have to have the front end of their season win heavy in case there is injuries or too much wear and tear along the way.

none of this..."try to win 3 out of 4" crap. they HAVE to win a lot early. they can't afford to back off at all. the division is going to be on our heels at best.

[2jakefansinva]

no kidding. as fierce as this schedule is and how long they are going to have to go without a break...they are going to have to have the front end of their season win heavy in case there is injuries or too much wear and tear along the way.

none of this..."try to win 3 out of 4" crap. they HAVE to win a lot early. they can't afford to back off at all. the division is going to be on our heels at best.

Exactly. I guess if there is one good thing about our schedule, it is the 3 home division games after the half way point in the season. That could help us make up for a slip up or two. But like I said.....we need a fast start in these conference games early on to help with tie breakers at the end.

[Fireball77]

I think that first game vs the Eagles will be a good gauge of how our team looks and how the season will go.

God I hope not, because I think the Eagles will roll them. The Eagles own them.

That said, I don't judge much by anyone's week 1. Week 1 has been known to be uber whacky results wise. Teams don't start revealing who they really are until about midseason IMO.

[17+89=6]

I definitely agree we have to get out of the gates early. I think if we can take 2 of the first 3 games we will be alright. And we definitely need to come out of the bye week hot. The more I look at our schedule, the less difficult it begins to appear. We aren't going to win every game, but we definitely have a legitimate shot to keep every game close, and thats about all you can ask for.

[carolinarolls]

Of course the entire schedule looks pretty tough but they really have to tke it one week at a time. As silly and cliche as that sounds it's true. They cannot afford to have any bad games next season. They can afford to lose some games of course but they cannot afford to come out flat and have one poor offensive output. The offense is going to be the heart of the team this year and if they struggle, give up too many turnovers, or look lost we could have a very bad year.

[Kyle82]

You are right about coming out swinging....the season could be over early if the Panthers don't take care of busuness from the get-go.

I think the toughest stretch comes in weeks 9 thru 11; playing division rivals Saints and Falcs then four days later playing Miami on Thurs. night.

[Jangler]

1-16<-------------That's the most important part of the schedule.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

Is the next game.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

I think the most important part of our schedule is the first three weeks before our bye. Since we don't have a bye later in the year it is important to get three quick wins of the bat, God forbid we have any injuries to one of our star athletes I think the first three games against the Eagles, Falcons, and Cowboys. If we can get to our bye week 3-0, I would say we have a great chance at the NFL Playoffs.

[PantherRush]

I think the most important part of our schedule is the first three weeks before our bye. Since we don't have a bye later in the year it is important to get three quick wins of the bat, God forbid we have any injuries to one of our star athletes I think the first three games against the Eagles, Falcons, and Cowboys. If we can get to our bye week 3-0, I would say we have a great chance at the NFL Playoffs.

I agree that the first 3-4 weeks are the most critical.

Eagles (home)

Falcons (away)

Cowboys (away)

[bye week]

Redskins (home)

This is a tough opening stretch. It's pretty improbable that we'll go 3-0 before the bye week. If we do, that will be an incredible sign of strength.

It is more likely that we will be 0-4 to start.

[2jakefansinva]

We will not start 0-4. I think the worst start we could have would be 2-2. If we start 1-3 or 0-4 something drastic would have had to happen.( ie...a major injury or 2.)