Carolina Panthers 2020 Schedule: Five easiest games

No. 1: Week 16, at Washington Redskins — 1 p.m. on CBS

On paper, the Week 16 showdown with the Redskins is by far the easiest game on Carolina’s schedule. With that being said though, there will certainly be a rivalry of sorts. Washington is now led by former Panthers head coach Ron Rivera along with players Kyle Allen and Thomas Davis among others. There’s no doubt these players will be out for revenge; however, from a talent standpoint, this is still Carolina’s easiest game.

The Redskins don’t know who their quarterback will be in 2020, and likely won’t know until close to the start of the regular season. Regardless of who wins the quarterback battle, neither the aforementioned Allen nor Dwayne Haskins necessarily strike fear into their opponents. Perhaps their best offensive player is a 35-year-old Adrian Peterson, and he’s far from being in his prime.

Washington did add stud defensive end Chase Young with the second pick in the draft, as well as signed cornerback Kendall Fuller away from the Chiefs, but the defense still figures to be below-average in 2020. The Redskins were one of three teams to give up more rushing yards than the Panthers this past season and allowed the sixth-most points per game.

The Redskins were actually decent at defending the pass in 2019, and the additions of Fuller and Young will only help in passing situations. With that being said, the clear way to attack Rivera’s new team is to run the ball early and often. Despite Carolina playing a terrible game all-around against Washington last year, McCaffrey still managed to muster 100 yards for an otherwise dreadful Panthers offense. The Redskins have certainly improved this offseason, but still not enough to get them out of the NFC’s cellar.