NFL schedule 2020: Biggest game for all 32 teams

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks to pass against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. The Chiefs won the game 31-20. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

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Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Carolina Panthers: vs. Atlanta Falcons

There will be a brand new look for the Carolina Panthers after a tumultuous offseason. Ron Rivera and Cam Newton are out while Matt Rhule and Teddy Bridgewater are in, marking the start of a brand new era of Panthers’ football.

Expectations are going to have to be adjusted for Carolina, which is expected to begin a rebuilding phase under the new regime. No one is expecting the Panthers to outright tank for Trevor Lawrence but wins may be hard to come by.

In a case like this, a new coaching staff will likely be looking at games against divisional rivals to gauge how well the program is progressing. Carolina plays in one of the toughest divisions in football thanks to the presence of Drew Brees in New Orleans and Tom Brady in Tampa Bay, so the Panthers’ most ideal measuring stick will be against Atlanta.

Matt Ryan is no slouch for the Falcons but he is nowhere near the legendary class that Brady and Brees belong to. Atlanta did finish the season strong, going 6-2 down the stretch, but they did start 1-7 so there is plenty of inconsistency to consider with that team.

The Panthers still have an explosive playmaker in Christian McCaffrey and have enough pieces to feel confident in their ability to get a game against the Falcons. The home date is obviously much easier to secure so that will be a true litmus test to see how Rhule’s new regime is progressing.

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