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The Carolina Panthers' 2026 schedule features the fewest air miles and a positive rest differential, but includes a challenging five-game stretch starting in Week 4. ESPN predicts an upset win for the Panthers in their season opener against the Chicago Bears.
The Carolina Panthers' 2026 schedule does provide some advantages, such as the fewest air miles and a positive rest differential.
However, it's also a much more difficult road than it was last season. The schedule includes a brutal five-game stretch starting in Week 4 against the Detroit Lions—followed by matchups with the Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos.
And first, things get started at home against the Chicago Bears in Week 1. Even though they have home-field advantage, the Panthers are considered 2.5-point underdogs.
Nevertheless, ESPN is predicting an upset win for Carolina to kick off the campaign. Marc Raimondi wrties:
The Panthers face a difficult five-game stretch starting in Week 4 against strong teams like the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles.
The Panthers will play against the Chicago Bears in their season opener at home.
The schedule offers advantages such as the fewest air miles and a positive rest differential.

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The Panthers will beat the Bears for the first time since 2014, validating the trade that landed Carolina the 2023 No. 1 pick that ended up being quarterback Bryce Young. In Week 1, Young will outplay his counterpart Caleb Williams, whom the Bears drafted No. 1 overall in 2024 with the pick the Panthers traded to them.
This is pretty far from a wild take or a truly bold prediction. Chicago does have a far more creative and productive offense than Carolina, but they're lacking the Panthers' depth at the skill positions and aren't exactly a juggernaut on defense.
Winning the turnover battle, or getting a hot day from quarterback Bryce Young, would probably be enough to flip the tables and secure an upset win. Then again, history is against the Panthers in this department—as they're 4-9 against the Bears all-time and have lost four straight and seven of their last eight matchups.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: 2026 NFL schedule: ESPN has bold early-season prediction for Panthers