Not only are the defending NFC champions opening their new season on the road — much to the dismay of Carolina coach Ron Rivera — but the Panthers also have to be in the building when the team that beat them seven months ago celebrates their Super Bowl title.

The Broncos have been tight-lipped about Thursday night's pregame ceremony, but they're encouraging fans to be in their seats 40 minutes before kickoff. Rumor has it Peyton Manning will be there, and The Denver Post reported in March that the Broncos are planning to unveil a banner representing their three Super Bowl wins.

The Panthers are scheduled to be in the locker room during the ceremony, but will Rivera mention what's happening on the field as a motivational thing?

"I have no idea what they're planning. I assume they're going to do something, which is good for them," he said. "I think the biggest thing is to make sure we're staying focused on why we're there."

So that's a no.

Added linebacker Thomas Davis:

"We ain't thinking about none of that pregame stuff. We'll be totally focused on playing the game. We can't get caught up in that stuff because if you get caught up in that, then you're being distracted, and you're taking your mind away from what you're actually there to do, and that's to win a football game."

Even the Broncos are downplaying the festivities.

"I haven’t even put any thought into pregame ceremonies, activities or anything like that," claimed coach Gary Kubiak.

"It was last year. You don’t ever want to be living in the past," said Super Bowl MVP Von Miller, sounding very much like Rivera has since February.

So while Panthers fans may want to avert their eyes around 8:20 p.m. ET, neither team should be affected by the celebration. That's the goal, at least.

"The hoopla, the pregame stuff, it's not really much of our concern. We're trying to win one game," tight end Greg Olsen said.

"This is not the Super Bowl. This is not revenge in the Super Bowl. That's really not any of our focus. We're trying to win a game and it just so happens to be the same team."