Carolina Panthers Have Some ‘Very Winnable Games’ to Start the 2025 NFL Season — Can They Capitalize?

The Carolina Panthers are entering the 2025 NFL season with something they haven’t felt in years: a realistic path to early success. After an offseason filled with turnover, transformation, and tempered optimism, the team’s early schedule has quietly become one of the more favorable slates in the league.

Under new head coach Dave Canales and GM Dan Morgan, the Panthers are trying to move on from a disastrous 2–15 campaign in 2023 — a season in which rookie quarterback Bryce Young was under siege and offensive production cratered. But with fresh leadership, revamped offensive weapons, and an emerging identity, Carolina may have the opportunity to start strong.

Their biggest ally? The 2025 schedule — particularly the first six games.

While the Panthers still face an uphill battle toward playoff contention, the first quarter of their season features several “very winnable” games against fellow rebuilding teams, inconsistent opponents, and vulnerable defenses.

Let’s break down the early-season matchups, analyze how Carolina stacks up, and explore what a fast start could mean for a franchise desperate to climb out of the NFL’s basement.

A Glimpse at the Early Schedule

Here’s a look at the Panthers’ first six games of the 2025 season:

1. Week 1: vs. New Orleans Saints
2. Week 2: at Las Vegas Raiders
3. Week 3: vs. Washington Commanders
4. Week 4: at Arizona Cardinals
5. Week 5: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
6. Week 6: at Denver Broncos

Let’s be honest — this isn’t exactly a murderer’s row of Super Bowl contenders.

Four of those six teams missed the playoffs in 2024. Two are trotting out rookie or second-year quarterbacks. One (Tampa Bay) is now operating under a new coaching regime after parting ways with Todd Bowles. The other (Denver) is in a full-blown rebuild under Sean Payton after offloading Russell Wilson.

The Panthers, while still retooling themselves, will likely enter each of those matchups as no worse than slight underdogs — and in some cases, possible favorites.

Week 1: vs. New Orleans Saints — A Statement Opportunity

There may be no better way for Carolina to start the season than at home against a fading division rival.

The Saints are coming off a mediocre 8–9 campaign and haven’t improved significantly this offseason. Quarterback Derek Carr continues to show limitations, and the team’s defense — once elite — took a step back in 2024, especially in the secondary.

If Bryce Young and the revamped Panthers offense can get into a rhythm early, Carolina has a real shot to make a statement in Week 1. Dave Canales’ offense, predicated on timing, motion, and play-action, could challenge a Saints defense that has struggled with discipline and speed in space.

Matchup to Watch: Diontae Johnson vs. Marshon Lattimore
If Johnson can create separation and Legette stretches the field, Young will have answers.

Winnability: ★★★★☆
The Saints are still a tough, veteran team, but this is a home game against a beatable opponent — a tone-setter.

Week 2: at Las Vegas Raiders — A Battle of the Rebuilders

Traveling cross-country on a short week is never ideal, but the matchup favors Carolina.

The Raiders are another franchise in transition. With Antonio Pierce now in his first full season as head coach and a quarterback competition likely between Aidan O’Connell and rookie Michael Penix Jr., Las Vegas may still be figuring things out in Week 2.

More importantly, their secondary remains one of the worst in the NFL. If Carolina’s offensive line gives Bryce Young time, this could be a breakout game for the Panthers’ pass catchers.

Matchup to Watch: Xavier Legette vs. Jakorian Bennett
Legette’s size-speed combination could overwhelm a young and thin cornerback unit.

Winnability: ★★★★☆
A road game, but very winnable — especially against a team that ranked 30th in total defense in 2024.

Week 3: vs. Washington Commanders — Rookie QB, Vulnerable Defense

The Commanders have a shiny new franchise quarterback in Jayden Daniels, but this game arrives early enough in the season that he may still be adjusting to NFL speed.

Washington’s defense, once feared, has crumbled since trading away Chase Young and Montez Sweat. The unit ranked near the bottom of the league in points allowed last year, and the secondary remains a concern.

Can Carolina pressure Daniels into mistakes and control the tempo at home? Absolutely. This could be a pivotal game — a potential 2–1 or 3–0 launch pad.

Matchup to Watch: Carolina’s front seven vs. Jayden Daniels
If LT Overton and company contain Daniels’ legs, they’ll force him to beat them from the pocket — a big ask early in his career.

Winnability: ★★★★★
Of the first six games, this might be the most favorable matchup on paper.

Week 4: at Arizona Cardinals — A Wild Card Matchup

Arizona is one of the trickiest early opponents. On one hand, they finished 4–13 in 2023 and are still rebuilding under Jonathan Gannon. On the other, Kyler Murray is a dynamic playmaker who could be firing on all cylinders by Week 4.

The Cardinals added elite wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. in the draft and could challenge Carolina’s secondary if the pass rush doesn’t get home. However, Arizona’s offensive line is still a work in progress, and their defense allowed 26.8 points per game last season — 30th in the NFL.

This could be a shootout, but it’s a winnable one.

Matchup to Watch: Kyler Murray vs. Carolina’s linebackers
If the Panthers can force Murray into early mistakes and contain his scrambles, they’ll have the upper hand.

Winnability: ★★★☆☆
A tougher road test, but far from insurmountable.

Week 5: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Divisional Grit

Tampa Bay lost key pieces in free agency and is transitioning to a new head coach after parting with Bowles. While quarterback Baker Mayfield exceeded expectations in 2023, questions linger about his ability to replicate that success without Canales — now Carolina’s head coach.

This game comes with high emotion. It’s Canales’ first shot at his former team. The Bucs still boast WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, but their offensive line is aging, and the defense isn’t as fearsome as it once was.

Expect an intense, scrappy divisional battle.

Matchup to Watch: Dave Canales’ scheme vs. Todd Bowles’ old personnel
Canales knows the Bucs’ tendencies better than anyone. His game plan could expose their weak spots.

Winnability: ★★★★☆
A great opportunity to seize an NFC South tiebreaker.

Week 6: at Denver Broncos — Altitude and Uncertainty

By Week 6, Denver may have rookie Bo Nix at the helm. While the Broncos still have some defensive stalwarts like Patrick Surtain II, they’ve entered a rebuilding phase and will likely suffer growing pains.

The altitude is always a factor in Denver, but Carolina’s youth and athleticism could give them the edge in a late-October clash. Denver’s offensive line remains suspect, and their receiver room is arguably weaker than Carolina’s.

If the Panthers enter this game at 3–2 or better, confidence will be high.

Matchup to Watch: Carolina’s D-line vs. Bo Nix
Can they force the rookie into early mistakes?

Winnability: ★★★☆☆
Road game, but again, a very beatable opponent with major question marks.

What a Fast Start Would Mean for Carolina

The Panthers haven’t had a winning record through six games since 2017. Every year since, slow starts have doomed their playoff chances and deflated the locker room. That’s why this early schedule matters so much — it’s a rare runway for momentum.

Imagine this scenario:

• Win vs. Saints
• Win at Raiders
• Win vs. Commanders
• Loss at Cardinals
• Win vs. Bucs
• Loss at Broncos

That puts Carolina at 4–2, with confidence, cohesion, and the possibility of national buzz heading into the midseason slate.

Here’s what that kind of start could do:

1. Build Bryce Young’s Confidence

Young needs rhythm and success. A clean start — with protection, play-action, and explosive plays — could finally show why he was the No. 1 pick.

2. Validate Dave Canales’ Vision

Players are already buying into Canales, but early wins would cement his credibility and reinforce his process-driven philosophy.

3. Excite a Fanbase Hungry for Hope

Bank of America Stadium was often half-full in 2023. A hot start would bring back the buzz and energy that have been missing for years.

4. Establish NFC South Legitimacy

With the Saints and Bucs on the early slate, the Panthers can grab key tiebreakers in a division that remains wide open.

The Flip Side: What If They Don’t Capitalize?

Of course, the pressure cuts both ways. If Carolina starts 1–5 or worse against this slate, it raises serious questions:

• Is Bryce Young the right QB?
• Was Canales more product than architect in Tampa?
• Are the new weapons overhyped?

Given how manageable the early games are, failing to capitalize would raise alarms — especially as the second half of the season features tougher matchups (Chiefs, Eagles, Falcons, Chargers).

Early Success Isn’t a Guarantee — But It’s an Opportunity

The 2025 Panthers aren’t a finished product. There are still holes, questions, and youth across the board. But the front office has assembled a team that’s faster, hungrier, and better aligned than what we saw in 2023.

Now, they have something just as important: a real chance to get off the mat early.

Six games. Five winnable matchups. Three NFC opponents. Two divisional rivals.

For the first time in a while, the Panthers don’t need a miracle to start hot. They just need focus, execution — and a belief that this is no longer the team that crumbled last fall.

If they seize the moment, Carolina could go from laughingstock to legitimate in just a few weeks.