0-0, T-1st NFC South
The Panthers are likely to be one of the worst teams in the NFL this season, and they don’t even get the advantage of an easy schedule as they play the 12th-most difficult slate by 2021 combined opponents’ record. Things get started against Deshaun Watson and the Browns in Week 1 before a winnable road game against the Giants. Then comes a brutal five-week gauntlet of likely playoff teams in the Saints, Cardinals, 49ers, Rams, and Buccaneers. The Panthers also have to travel to play the Bengals and Ravens along with the Broncos at home before their Week 13 bye. If they’re somehow still in playoff contention by that point it would be miraculous, but they have a winnable stretch after their bye against the Seahawks on the road and the Steelers and Lions at home. Still, facing the Buccaneers and Saints twice is no easy task, much less along with a litany of playoff contenders on the schedule this season.