The Carolina Panthers’ Week 18 victory over the New Orleans Saints taught us a few things on Sunday.
For one, a team whose lone touchdown came from a fumble recovery by an offensive lineman can win a game. We also learned that interim head coach Steve Wilks is absolutely worthy of getting that “interim” tag knocked off. And we even know where the Panthers are set to pick from in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft.
Oh, and we found out who Carolina will be playing next season.
The 10-7 triumph, along with a 4-2 mark within the division, gave the Panthers a 7-10 record and a second-place finish in the NFC South. As a result, their final three opponents—who also finished second in their respective divisions—are now cemented: the Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks and Miami Dolphins.
So, here’s the full list of opponents for the 2023 campaign:
| Home | Away |
| Atlanta Falcons | Atlanta Falcons |
| New Orleans Saints | New Orleans Saints |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| Green Bay Packers | Chicago Bears |
| Minnesota Vikings | Detroit Lions |
| Houston Texans | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| Indianapolis Colts | Tennessee Titans |
| Dallas Cowboys | Seattle Seahawks |
| Miami Dolphins |
