SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2017
SPORTS
NASCAR Power Rankings Page 3
Kim Klement | USA TODAY SPORTS
2017 NFL Schedule Released “I’m excited to open our home schedule with a familiar face in Sean McDermott. He knows our team well, is an excellent coach and will have the Bills ready to play. It will certainly be a challenge for us, and I’m looking forward to it.” JIM DEDMON | USA TODAY SPORTS
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) runs towards the goal line as Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) defends.
— Panthers coach Ron Rivera on facing off against his old defensive coordinator in Week 2 when the Buffalo Bills come to town
By Shawn Krest North State Journal The 2017 sets up as an important one for the Carolina Panthers after a disappointing attempt to defend their 2016 NFC championship. The schedule will not be easy despite a down year, however. It’s highlighted by two home primetime games, an early matchup with a former coach and a grueling October, which was released by the NFL on Thursday night. Here are five things to know about the Panthers’ upcoming season. Ready for prime time The Panthers host a pair of prime-time games this season. The Eagles visit Bank of America Stadium for a Thursday night game on Oct. 12, and the Dolphins travel to Charlotte for a Monday night game on Nov. 13. The Panthers get their bye the week after the Miami game, avoiding a short week following the Monday contest. It’s the sixth straight year the Panthers will appear on Monday Night Football and the fifth year in a row
that Carolina will host a Monday night game. Carolina also appears on Thursday night for the fifth time in six seasons. The Panthers were shut out of Thursday games in 2015. This will also be the third straight Panthers Thursday night game played at Bank of America Stadium. Barring a Sunday game getting flexed to prime time, the Panthers will not appear on Sunday Night Football for the first time since the 2012 season. October death march The Panthers will play five games in the month of October, but season ticket holders won’t be as busy as the players. That’s because four of the team’s games will be played on the road. The Panthers open the month with trips to New England and Detroit, then host Philadelphia on a short week. Carolina closes out the month with trips to Chicago and Tampa Bay. It will be the first time the Panthers have had four road games in a month since January, 2006, when the team played three road playoff games in its run to the NFC Conference Championship Game. Carolina last played four of five games on the road in November/December 2015. See PANTHERS, page B8
Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman (24) after the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Redskins defeat the Bears 41-21.
Five things to know about the Washington Redskins schedule
Five things to know about the Carolina Panthers schedule Date with McDermott, long October highlight the slate
JEROME MIRON | USA TODAY SPORTS
“I’m the villain every time, so it doesn’t matter. I’m accepting it and I’m stepping into my role. Of course, I’m going to be the ‘Dark Knight.’ I’m going to kill it.” — Redskins cornerback Josh Norman, previously describing how he goes up against Odell Beckham, who Norman will face off against when the Redskins host the Giants on Thanksgiving, the first time in franchise history Washington hosts a game on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving hosting duties, brutal October highlight Skins’ 2017 slate By R. Cory Smith North State Journal After winning the division in 2015, Washington fell just short of the postseason in 2016. With a brutal schedule this season, here are a few highlights to look forward to as the Skins look to get back to playing January football. Home for Turkey Day For the first time in franchise history, there will be a home game at FedEx Field on Thanksgiving Day. Washington will play host to the New York Giants, pitting one of the league’s best offenses from 2016 against one of the strongest defenses down the stretch. The Thanksgiving night game features the matchup of Josh Norman and Odell Beckham Jr. again. And another chance for Norman to portray his role as Batman. “I’m the villain every time, so it doesn’t matter,” Norman said. “I’m accepting it and I’m stepping into my role. Of course, I’m going to be the ‘Dark Knight.’ I’m going to kill it.” The Thursday night game will be a massive feast for NFL fans given
Kirk Cousins’ huge arm against a secondary full of young talent in Eli Apple and Landon Collins. Sprinkle in a little Beckham and Brandon Marshall on the other side of the ball and this one has the makings of an all-out brawl. Daunting October Every year, playoff teams are created or destroyed by difficult stretches in the season. Carrying the seventh-hardest strength of schedule into 2017, the Skins have several tough stretches, the first of which comes from the end of September through the start of November. During that stretch, Washington starts with a showdown against Oakland on Sunday Night Football before traveling to Kansas City for a Monday Night Football. The extra day is nice but the AFC West opponents are brutal. The bye week and the 49ers will help the Skins recover before another rough stretch. They head to Philadelphia, then host Dallas before traveling to Seattle. Four of those six teams made the playoffs last year and Philly on a Monday night is a brutal draw for an “easy” game. Good luck with that. Redskins Under the Lights See REDSKINS, page B8