Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton turned in an impressive rookie year with 4,000-plus passing yards and just over 700 rushing yards during the 2011 season. That brought the Panthers from a 2-14 record in 2010 to a 6-10 finish in 2011.

In 2012, Newton will need to lead his Panthers to an early gauntlet through the NFC South. The team opens on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, hosts the New Orleans Saints and the New York Giants then travels to play the Atlanta Falcons over the course of the first four games of the season.

Will Cam Newton and the Panthers upset the NFC South this year?

Here is the complete Carolina Panthers 2012 schedule:

Week 1: Sept. 9 at Tampa Bay
Week 2: Sept. 16 New Orleans
Week 3: Sept. 20 New York
Week 4: Sept. 30 at Atlanta
Week 5: Oct. 7 Seattle
Week 6: Bye
Week 7: Oct. 21 Dallas
Week 8: Oct. 28 at Chicago
Week 9: Nov. 4 at Washington
Week 10: Nov. 11 Denver
Week 11: Nov. 18 Tampa Bay
Week 12: Nov. 26 at Philadelphia
Week 13: Dec. 2 at Kansas City
Week 14: Dec. 9 Atlanta
Week 15: Dec. 16 at San Diego
Week 16: Dec. 23 Oakland
Week 17: Dec. 30 at New Orleans

For complete announcements of the full 2012 NFL schedule, please visit this StoryStream.