CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers will open the 2008 season at defending AFC West champion San Diego.
The 16-game schedule released Tuesday also includes a Monday night home game against Tampa Bay.
The Panthers will open on the road for a second straight year on Sept. 7 at San Diego. The home opener is a week later against Chicago before Carolina travels to Minnesota in Week 3.
The Panthers’ lone nationally televised game is Dec. 8 against the Buccaneers. The Panthers host Denver the following Sunday, then close the season with consecutive road games at the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants and New Orleans.

Sunday, Sept. 7 Carolina Panthers at San Diego Chargers 4:15 p.m. FOX
Sunday, Sept. 14 Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers 1 p.m. FOX
Sunday, Sept. 21 Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings 1 p.m. FOX
Sunday, Sept. 28 Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers 1 p.m. FOX
Sunday, Oct. 5 Kansas City Chiefs at Carolina Panthers 1 p.m. CBS
Sunday, Oct. 12 Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1 p.m. FOX
Sunday, Oct. 19 New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers 1 p.m. FOX
Sunday, Oct. 26 Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers 1 p.m. FOX
Week 9 BYE
Sunday, Nov. 9 Carolina Panthers at Oakland Raiders 4:05 p.m. FOX
Sunday, Nov. 16 Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers 1 p.m. FOX
Sunday, Nov. 23 Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons 1 p.m. FOX
Sunday, Nov. 30 Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers 1 p.m. FOX
Monday, Dec. 8 Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers 8:30 p.m. ESPN
Sunday, Dec. 14 Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers 1 p.m. CBS
Sunday, Dec. 21 Carolina Panthers at New York Giants 1 p.m. FOX
Sunday, Dec. 28 Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints 1 p.m. FOX