NFL

2025 NFL Schedule: Carolina Panthers Visiting Travis Hunter, Jacksonville Jaguars In Regular-Season Opener

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Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He ed the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on Get to know Jeff Hawkins better

Sports Editor

Published14 May 2025

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The Carolina Panthers will open the 2025 NFL season with a high-profile matchup. 

The Panthers will travel to face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars and April’s No. 2 overall draft pick, Travis Hunter, who could take the field as a two-way player. 

As a cornerback on defense, he could line up opposite Panthers rookie Tetairoa McMillan, the No. 8 overall pick. As a wide receiver on offense, he could attract the attention of the Panthers’ new $100 million cornerback, Jaycee Horn. 

That is not the only interesting Week 1 storyline. 

Panthers At Jaguars’ Opener Turning Into Family Affair 

Panthers rookie running back Trevor Etienne is six years younger than his older brother, Travis, the Jaguars’ running back. But they have always been close. Because of their age, the brothers have never played on the same team or been on a competitive field together. 

That could change in September.  

Trevor Etienne, who signed Tuesday, could open his NFL career with his brother on the opposing sideline. Travis, a 2021 first-round draft pick, posted 558 rushing yards on 150 carries and two touchdowns last season. 

The matchup also features the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ previous two offensive coordinators, Panthers’ Dave Canales and Jaguars’ Liam Coen.  

The Panthers, who are a combined 7-27 the past two seasons, have not qualified for the playoffs since 2017. They could feel optimistic this season, however. The last two times the Panthers opened the regular season against the Jaguars (2003 and ‘15), they qualified for the Super Bowl. 

The Panthers’ schedule could play a role in the franchise returning to the playoffs. According to Sharp Football Analysis, the Panthers possess the league’s seventh-easiest schedule, pitted against 10 squads ranked within the 11 easiest schedules. They only face four teams who made the playoffs last season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams and Green Bay Packers.

Carolina Panthers’ 2025 NFL Schedule 

Date, Opponent, Time 

Preseason 

  • Aug. 8, vs. Cleveland Browns, 7 p.m. 
  • Aug. 16, at Houston Texans, 1 p.m.  
  • Aug. 21, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 7 p.m. 

Regular Season 

  • Sept. 7 at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. 
  • Sept. 14 at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. 
  • Sept. 21 vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. 
  • Sept. 28 at New England Patriots, 1 p.m. 
  • Oct. 5 vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. 
  • Oct. 12 vs. Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m. 
  • Oct. 19 at N.Y. Jets, 1 p.m. 
  • Oct. 26 vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. 
  • Nov. 2 at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m. 
  • Nov. 7 vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. 
  • Nov. 16 at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. 
  • Nov. 24 at San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 p.m. 
  • Nov. 30 vs. Los Angeles Rams, 1 p.m. 
  • Bye 
  • Dec. 14 at New Orleans Saints, 4:25 p.m. 
  • Dec. 21 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. 
  • TBD vs. Seattle Seahawks, TBD 
  • TBD at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, TBD 

 

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Jeff Hawkins
Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He ed the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on Get to know Jeff Hawkins better

Author photo
Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He ed the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on All posts by Jeff Hawkins