Tennessee Titans vs. Carolina Panthers: 5 Halftime Changes for Panthers

Coming off a bye week, we all expected the Carolina Panthers to give the Tennessee Titans a tough game, or at least give a good showing.

So far, that's not been the case.

Trailing 17-0 heading into the second half, the Panthers have a lot of work to do.

Here are five adjustments they need to make to give themselves a chance at winning this game.

Eliminate the Stupid Mistakes

The Panthers special teams have been a weak spot for them all year, and giving up a punt return for a touchdown right at the beginning of the game puts them in an immediate hole.

Then with Carolina in the red zone, Olson coughs up a fumble right as they're starting to get into a groove. There's no way they can come back if they keep shooting themselves in the foot.

Mix Up the Play Calling

Carolina has had some great success with the run game so far, but it only comes when they are mixing in a steady diet of play-action and passing plays to keep Tennessee honest.

The runs are getting stuffed mostly when the Panthers get greedy and try to run too often. Even I know it's coming ahead of time in those instances.

Put Pressure on the QB

The Panthers have been doing a great job containing the run, but they're letting Hasselbeck have his way with them so far.

That's because he has all day.

Carolina needs to mix up their pass rush schemes and show the Titans something different and start to put some pressure on the quarterback.

Take Some More Risks

When Cam Newton had all day to throw and dumped it down for a short gain on third and 15 when they were already down 17, it became apparent that the Panthers need to take some more risks.

Steve Smith has only been targeted once past the line of scrimmage so far this game. Let your playmakers make some plays.

Make Plays

Poor tackling and dropped interceptions: When it's all said and done, the Panthers just have not made the plays that they need to.