Following a disappointing season and last place finish in the NFC South the Carolina Panthers were set to face an easier schedule than 2016, a year removed from their Super Bowl appearance. Opponents in the NFL are determined by division, a divisional rotation, and common opponents from two other divisions finishing in the same position.
For example, Carolina won the NFC South in 2015 making their opponents in 2016 the NFC South division, both the NFC and AFC West divisions, in addition to the Washington Redskins and Minnesota Vikings who also finished in first place.
A last place finish in 2016 should equate to an easier schedule for 2017, but that is barely the case.