A critical season for Carolina Panthers coach John Fox will begin with a difficult road trip and end with a flurry of road games.

The NFL schedule released Tuesday puts the Panthers on a cross-country trip to defending AFC West champion San Diego for their opener Sept. 7. While the highlight of the 16-game slate may be a Monday night home game with Tampa Bay on Dec. 8, it's part of a difficult closing stretch that has Carolina on the road for four of its final six games.

The Panthers play late-season games at Green Bay on Nov. 30 and at the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants on Dec. 21. But with John Fox and general manager Marty Hurney under pressure to get Carolina back into the postseason after a two-year absence, playing on the road late in the season may be a good thing.

Under Fox, the Panthers have a better road record (27- 21) than at home (24-24).

"Every season presents unique challenges," Fox said. "We know we have a very difficult opening game at San Diego and play three division games in the first seven weeks, which will be very important."