- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,128,796
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
2026 NFL schedule: Panthers coach Dave Canales points to three primetime events, personal Week 17 rematch originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is prepping to receive a larger audience.
Overcoming a series of internal obstacles since he was drafted No. 1 overall in 2023, Young rebounded to come through when he had a chance. He ranks first among active signal callers with 12 career game-winning drives since he entered the NFL. He's also credited with seven fourth-quarter comebacks.
When the Panthers competed in close games late, Young consistently delivered, creating must-see TV for whoever tuned in to recent Panthers' telecasts.
The Panthers last season pulled off major regular-season upsets with Young directing a game-winning drive against the host Green Bay Packers and a fourth-quarter drive against the visiting Los Angeles Rams.
NFL executives noticed Young's clutch play and awarded the Panthers with three primetime showcases in 2026. They received one in 2025 and none in '24.
"We're a fun team to watch," Panthers coach Dave Canales said during Monday's teleconference. "For me, it's just about opportunity and improving our football, guys playing with that energy.
"The prime-time games, championship moments, we've got to have that. It brings out the best in us."
The Panthers, who qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2017, aim to establish themselves as a contender capable of attracting a national audience.
"I just get excited about the prime-time games," Canales said, "because, as we all know, as you get playoff opportunities, these are night games."
Panthers coach Dave Canales eyes Seahawks rematch
Another matchup quickly caught Canales' attention when the 2026 NFL schedule was released last Thursday, a Week 17 redux against the Seattle Seahawks, the eventual Super Bowl LX champions.
A long-time Seahawks assistant, Canales' current squad fell flat in the penultimate meeting last season, collapsing in the third quarter en route to a 27-10 defeat at Bank of America Stadium.
The Panthers, who play four of their final five games at home next season, will host the Seahawks at the same stage in 2026.
"Very interesting, right?" Canales said. "Just the same exact week, same time of year, bringing them back out here to Charlotte.
"That was something I saw right away and was very appreciative of that going into the finish of the season. "Being able to be at home, in front of our crowd, the energy that was building toward the end of last season, it just excites me to be able to see that through the holiday season."
Continue reading...
