CHARLOTTE - 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.