As usual, there were plenty of leaks when it came to the 2026 NFL schedule. As of 8:00 pm ET, the rumors, suggestions and speculation became a moot point. The Carolina Panthers and 31 other teams in the league are now very aware of not only who they will face this season (which they already knew) but when. The NFL’s 107th season kicks off in the Pacific Northwest when the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots in a rematch of the final game of the 2025 season. Of course, Mike Macdonald’s club would hoist a Lombardi Trophy at the expense of the Pats, 29-13, at Levi’s Stadium. Bob Donnan-Imagn Images In 2025, the Panthers faced both clubs and didn’t fare very well, losing to the Patriots (42-13) and ‘Hawks (27-10) by a combined 69-23 score. The latter was a Week 17 clash at Charlotte and coincidentally, those teams will renew acquaintances at Bank of America Stadium in Week 17 this season.…