The Carolina Panthers opened 2016 on a Thursday night against the reigning Super Bowl champions, to whom they had lost just seven months prior. Coach Ron Rivera was not happy about having to travel across the country and kickoff the new season in a rematch with Denver but the NFL determined it was best for business.
Another rematch could have been scheduled last year as Atlanta was destined to visit Foxboro but that game ended up being held in Week 7, although it was a Sunday night. Another Super Bowl rematch isn’t in the cards for 2018 but that doesn’t mean Carolina may not be open the season on the road in the first NFL game of the year.