CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Cam Newton has helped earn the Carolina Panthers two national television appearances in the 2012 season.
The Panthers host the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants in a Thursday night game on Sept. 20 on the NFL Network and play at Philadelphia on ESPN Monday Night Football on Nov. 26. The contest against the Giants will be the Panthers first nationally televised contest since hosting Miami in 2009. Carolina hasn't played on Monday night since visiting Dallas in 2009.
The Panthers open the season on the road for the third straight season, facing Tampa Bay on Sept. 9 before returning home Sept. 16 to host New Orleans in the home opener.
One of the most intriguing games will be Nov. 11 when coach John Fox returns to Charlotte along with Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in a 1 p.m. game.
Fox spent nine seasons with the Panthers before leaving after the season 2011 season.
"We had a strong finish last year and hope to maintain that momentum for the 2012 season," Panthers second-year head coach Ron Rivera said. "We play in one of the best divisions in the NFL and play all three division teams plus the New York Giants in the first four games. It's going to be a challenge, but one that excites us."
Carolina finished just 6-10 last season but made major strides offensively behind Newton, The Associated Press Rookie of the Year.
The Panthers closed the 2011 season by winning four of their last six games and jumped 25 positions in total offense, finishing seventh after being last the previous year.
Carolina also tied for fifth in scoring last season.
The Panthers four-game win improvement on the field was reflected in the television ratings with a 25 percent increase in viewership throughout the Carolinas.
The Panthers are hoping for a strong start at home where they have four of their first six against New Orleans (Sept. 16), the Giants (Sept. 20), Seattle (Oct. 7) and Dallas (Oct. 21). The Cowboys game follows the Panthers bye week Oct. 14.
The Panthers close the season at New Orleans for the second straight year.
The season should be a reunion of sorts for Rivera, who will return to all of his previous NFL coaching stops as the Panthers face Chicago, Philadelphia, and San Diego on the road.
PRESEASON GAMES
Sat. Aug. 11 vs. Houston Texans Bank of America Stadium 7:00 p.m. Panthers TV
Fri. Aug. 17 vs. Miami Dolphins Bank of America Stadium 8:00 p.m. Panthers TV
Sun. Aug. 26 at New York Jets MetLife Stadium 8:00 p.m. NBC
Thu. Aug. 30 at Pittsburgh Steelers Heinz Field 7:30 p.m. Panthers TV
REGULAR SEASON
Sun. Sept. 9 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Raymond James Stadium 4:15 p.m. FOX
Sun. Sept. 16 vs. New Orleans Saints Bank of America Stadium 1:00 p.m. FOX
Thu. Sept. 20 vs. New York Giants Bank of America Stadium 8:20 p.m. NFLN
Sun. Sept. 30 at Atlanta Falcons Georgia Dome 1:00 p.m. FOX
Sun. Oct. 7 vs. Seattle Seahawks Bank of America Stadium 4:05 p.m. FOX
Sun. Oct. 14 Bye
Sun. Oct. 21 vs. Dallas Cowboys Bank of America Stadium 1:00 p.m. FOX
Sun. Oct. 28 at Chicago Bears Soldier Field 1:00 p.m. FOX
Sun. Nov. 4 at Washington Redskins FedEx Field 1:00 p.m. FOX
Sun. Nov. 11 vs. Denver Broncos Bank of America Stadium 1:00 p.m. CBS
Sun. Nov. 18 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Bank of America Stadium 1:00 p.m. * FOX
Mon. Nov. 26 at Philadelphia Eagles Lincoln Financial Field 8:30 p.m. ESPN
Sun. Dec. 2 At at Kansas City Chiefs Arrowhead Stadium 1:00 p.m. * FOX
Sun. Dec. 9 vs. Atlanta Falcons Bank of America Stadium 1:00 p.m. * FOX
Sun. Dec. 16 at San Diego Chargers Qualcomm Stadium 4:05 p.m. * FOX
Sun. Dec. 23 vs. Oakland Raiders Bank of America Stadium 1:00 p.m. * CBS
Sun. Dec. 30 at New Orleans Saints Mercedes-Benz Superdome 1:00 p.m. * FOX
* - Subject to flexible scheduling.
The postseason also will end on the Saints' home field, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome , with Super Bowl XLVII on Feb. 3, 2013.